Manipur gears up to tackle possible flood menace

IMPHAL, July 7 ? The Manipur government in this border and volatile State has taken all measures to fight possible flood menace during this monsoon. A 24-hour irrigation and flood control room has also been opened at the office of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department in the heart of Imphal, recently.

Minister of Irrigation and Flood Control N Mangi also informed that all possible measures have been taken to meet any eventuality of flood. He said ?this should not be taken to mean that no flood will occur. The Department also identified the flood-prone areas and the vulnerable points at all the major rivers flowing in the State to check flooding and breaching of river banks. Even Mangi, while replying to a call attention motion in the ongoing State Assembly session, had already elaborated the measures taken up by his department. The minister also pointed out that 46 vulnerable points have been identified along the Imphal River, 14 points along Iril River, 16 in Nambul River, three in Kongba River, seven in Khuga, three in Wanjing, five in Thoubal, four in Sekmai, three in Karang and a four kilometer stretch along Manipur river in Sugunu area of the State. Materials to fight floods are empty cement bags, bamboo poles and bamboo fence are kept at stand by at the moment. Besides, a committee to fight the menace of flood has also been formed in a meeting of various departments which was chaired by the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi recently.