Relentless rainfall over the past four days has triggered devastating floods and landslides across Manipur, displacing nearly 20,000 residents and damaging more than 3,300 houses, according to official reports as of Monday.
The state capital Imphal and Imphal East district are among the worst affected, with the Imphal River breaching embankments and floodwaters inundating hospitals, government offices, and homes.
Rescue operations led by the Army, Assam Rifles, and disaster response teams have evacuated hundreds, while authorities have established 31 relief camps, extended school closures, and warned of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Thousands Displaced as Floodwaters Inundate Key Areas
The impact of the floods has been severe and widespread, with several localities in Imphal, Khurai, Heingang, and Checkon submerged under waist-deep water. In a dramatic rescue operation, patients at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences were moved from ground-floor wards to higher levels after floodwaters entered the hospital.
Local volunteers, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) worked tirelessly alongside the Army and Assam Rifles to evacuate nearly 800 people, including the elderly and differently abled, from submerged neighbourhoods in Imphal East. Essential services have been disrupted, with power outages and blocked roads hampering relief efforts.
Thirty-one relief camps have been set up across the state, providing shelter, food, and medical care to displaced families. The floods have also resulted in two reported injuries and the loss of 64 animals, further compounding the distress faced by affected communities.
Escalating Crisis: Landslides, Political Reactions, and Ongoing Rainfall
The situation has been further aggravated by 47 landslides reported in the last four days, particularly in Senapati district, where the Senapati river overflowed, cutting off several villages. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next 72 hours, heightening fears of additional flooding and landslides.
The state government, led by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, has conducted aerial surveys and visited the worst-hit areas, urging all departments to remain on high alert and prioritise relief and rehabilitation. Political leaders have voiced their concerns, with Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam calling for the floods to be declared a “state calamity” to unlock greater institutional support.
Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh has criticised the incomplete construction of retaining walls, attributing the extensive submergence of residential and agricultural land to these lapses in infrastructure development.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The unfolding humanitarian crisis in Manipur is a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable development, robust disaster management, and accountable governance. While the resilience and solidarity shown by local communities, volunteers, and rescue teams are commendable, it is essential that authorities address both immediate relief and long-term preventive measures.
Investments in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and environmental conservation must become priorities to safeguard vulnerable populations. As we witness the struggles and courage of those affected, let us ask ourselves: How can we, as a society, ensure that disaster preparedness and compassionate response become the norm, not the exception?
