2 boys killed in flash floods in Manipur, 15 houses washed away

Imphal: Two boys were killed and at least 15 more houses washed away in flash floods in Manipur, and people complained that the administration has been failing to help them deal with the calamity.

A seven-year-old boy in Imphal East district was electrocuted on Monday when he walked on a live wire under the flood waters in Kyamgei area.

The other boy is reported to have drowned in Ukhrul district.

Villagers said, “We had informed the officials before the breach of the Imphal river bank at Kyamgei. No official came with flood control materials. Even today the officials and the local MLA have not visited us.”

Fifteen more houses have been washed away in Kyamgei area in Imphal West district.

The state’s Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Ngamthang Haokip said one executive engineer has been suspended for dereliction of duty.

There is some relief for the people, however. Since Monday night there has not been heavy downpour and the water levels of the major rivers have receded. Meanwhile, Border Roads Organisation labourers are working round the clock to clear the debris along the two national highways which are blocked by multiple landslides.

Officials said the stranded vehicles will be allowed to proceed to Imphal. But for the time being, other vehicles are not leaving Imphal for other states.