Manipur Govt declares flood situation a ‘State Calamity’

Newmai News Network Imphal | July 3   Even as flood situation continued to remain grim in many localities in the state, an emergency 'review meeting' chaired by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was held today at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to assess the flood situation in Manipur.   The meeting was attended by IFCD Minister Letpao Haokip, Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, Chief Secretary O. Nabakishore, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, DCs and Directors of different Departments.   After thoroughly perusing the reports presented by the officials and the DCs concerned, the meeting decided to declare the present disaster as ‘State Calamity.’   The Chief Minister also informed the meeting that he has requested the Central Government to declare the same as a calamity of ‘severe nature’.   Considering the urgency of the affected people, a 24x7 State Disaster Control Room with telephone number 0385-2443441 has been opened with immediate effect to attend to the distress calls from the public and co-ordinate with the DCs and concerned Departments.   This is in addition to the existing Flood Control Room of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) having telephone number 0385-2451550.   Moreover, District Disaster Control Rooms, which would function round the clock, have also been opened. Singh also directed the officials concerned to open at least two medical camps in all the flood affected districts.   Directorate of Health Services and Directorate of AYUSH have also appointed two Nodal Officers each to attend to calls from flood affected people regarding health/medical related matters.   Directorate of Health Services may be contacted on phone numbers 9862284898 and 9436206298 and Directorate of AYUSH on 9862003144 and 9436894604.   The Chief Minister also asked officials of IFCD to make necessary arrangements to immediately rush flood fighting materials to the affected areas.   He also directed the DCs to provide relief materials to the affected people. On the other hand, the Chief Minister also instructed the Veterinary Department to step up measures to give necessary care to cattle and other domestic animals in the flood affected areas.   The PHED officials were also asked to distribute drinking water in these areas. As per the report presented by PHED officials, two water tankers aredistributing drinking water in Thoubal and Imphal East districts and one tanker in Imphal West.