Imphal, May 31 (UNI) Large numbers of houses were completely inundated by floods as river banks caved in on Saturday at Khurai, Chekcon, and Khabam, especially in areas covered by the Imphal, Iril, and Nambul rivers, as heavy rainfall lashed the state and neighbouring states for the last few days.

Helplines were issued by the authority and Assam Rifles as people were not able to move out of their houses. Most roads in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts have been flooded. Hundreds of people came out with bamboo and sandbags to protect the river embankments throughout the valley areas.

Power supply was cut off in some areas for security reasons. Some government offices, including All India Radio, were also inundated; however, the service of AIR was still continuing.

The government issued an orange-level warning and advised taking precautionary measures. The flood control room informed that the level of the Imphal River is above the high flood level while the Nambul is flowing at 782.1 m, which is the flood level, and the Iril River is also flowing at flood level, which is 784 m.

There are reports of overflowing of water to various parts at Wangkhei, Checkon, Kongba, Nambol, Bishnupur, Thangmeiband, Naoremthong, Iroishemba and other places, and many people have started preparing to move to safer areas.

Agricultural lands in Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, and Thoubal districts have been flooded. Fish farmers were informed that all the fish farms have been flooded; hence, there would be heavy loss this year. So far there is no report of any casualty.

UNI NS ARN