One killed as torrential rains wreak havoc in hill districts of Manipur

A 34-year-old man was killed by a heavy mudslide triggered by torrential rains that wreaked havoc in Manipur’s hill districts.
The tragic incident killing the 34-year-old man was reported at Old Phaisat village under Henglep sub-division of Churachandpur district adjoining Noney district where flash floods triggered by heavy rains inundated most part of Khoupum Valley region of the district.
The mudslide victim was identified as Sonminthang son of Paogin of Old Phaisat village. His body was later retrieved from the banks of the Mimva River.
Reports said that Sonminthang faced the tragic incident when a hut at their jhum field where he stayed the night with his father was suddenly hit by the debris of the mudslide while they were sleeping.
A sudden mudslide, triggered by heavy rains on the night of July 15 and 16, buried Sonminthang under the debris and carried him downhill while his father Paogin escaped unhurt.
Reportedly after the father sounded an alarm, the villagers rushed to the spot and immediately launched a search for the missing Sonminthang. After being untraceable for several hours, the dead body of Sonminthang was recovered along the banks of the Mimva River on Wednesday afternoon, around 1 pm.
On the other hand, Khoupum Valley region of Noney district continued to reel under flood water for the second day on Thursday.
Heavy rainfall in the past three days overflowed Khoupum Dam triggering flash floods in the only valley region of Noney district.
It also triggered landslides at multiple locations including along the stretch of Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 that passes through the district.
Reports, however, said that normal vehicular movement resumed with the debris of the landslides at two locations in Awang Khul area were cleared today.
According to official sources, the first landslide occurred around 2 am on Wednesday at Longchum, followed by a second major mudslide at Ramkhul village.
Meanwhile, with the flood situation in Khoupum Valley worsened, the district administration advised the public to stay from flood waters and landslide prone areas and also to shift to safer places from the low-lying and high risk areas.
“While, as per the latest forecast received from IMD, there is no predicted forecast for heavy rainfall in coming hours and days, there are chances of rains with lightning and thunderstorms,” the public advisory read, while asking the general public, nevertheless, to stay alert and cautious.
Official reports said that the flash floods inundated standing crops to over 37 hectares of fields in Longsai village and surrounding areas of Khoupum Valley.
Power supply in several villages of the district has been disrupted due to damage to infrastructure, including uprooted electric poles.
Apart from breaching Khoupum Dam, the Leimatak River that flows in the region is also reportedly flowing above the danger mark, adding to concerns of further flooding in the region.