A villager navigates a rain-soaked road beside a washed-out embankment after flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall caused severe erosion and disrupted connectivity in Laii village, Senapati district, Manipur.
Senapati, August 5 (MExN): The Laii Village Authority Council has appealed to the Manipur government for immediate relief and infrastructure support after flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall submerged vast stretches of paddy fields and damaged a key bridge connecting the village.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the council said the Ngaorei (Laini) River, which originates from Ukhrul town and flows along the Ukhrul-Senapati border before passing through Phek district in Nagaland and joining the Chindwin River in Myanmar, has crossed the danger mark following continuous rainfall.
The council said the sudden flash flood completely submerged and destroyed around 80,000 to 90,000 tins of newly planted paddy fields in Laii village, leaving the farming community in severe distress and threatening this year's harvest.
It further said that the only bridge connecting Laii village in Senapati district with Kharasom village in Ukhrul district has suffered foundation damage due to the strong river current, disrupting a vital transport link.
The council also expressed concern over the absence of a hanging bridge along an approximately 50-km stretch between Chingjaroi, Lower Phaibung and Laii village, forcing farmers and residents to cross the river at considerable risk during cultivation and while travelling for social events, including marriages and festivals.
The Laii Village Authority Council urged the Manipur government to immediately inspect and assess the crop damage and provide compensation to affected farmers.
It also appealed for the urgent repair of the damaged bridge over the Laini River connecting Kharasom village and the sanction of a hanging bridge between Chingjaroi village in Ukhrul district, Lower Phaibung and Laii village on priority to improve public safety and connectivity.
