Flash floods wash away bridge in Manipur

Imphal, May 18: Flash floods washed away a newly constructed bridge across the Izek river in Tamenglong district of Manipur on Wednesday (May 18) morning, following torrential rain that hit Manipur and neighbouring states on Tuesday (May 17) night.

Bailey bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs.40 lakh, was yet to be formally inaugurated.

The washing away of the bridge has further isolated Tamenglong, which was already cut off from the rest of the state following multiple rockslides triggered by heavy rainfall.Several vehicles were stranded in the district due to the rockslides.

Officials said that if the rain continues unabated, the NH 2 linking Manipur to Assam via Nagaland may also be hit by rockslides.

The Imphal-Moreh Trans Asian Highway which suffered major damage recently has yet to be repaired properly.

Amid the reports of widespread damage, the Met office has forecast more rain in the coming days and the sky is overcast.

The irrigation and flood control department said "All low-lying areas in the four valley districts in Manipur are inundated by the rainwater. Officials and other staff are closely monitoring the situation and flood control material is kept in readiness."

The Izek and the Iril rivers are flowing above the danger level, according to officials in Tamenglong district.

The low-lying areas in all districts in general and in and around Imphal city in particular are inundated. Reports received from Bishnupur district say that several fish farms had overflowed and the farmers had incurred huge losses.

IANS