Ministers strive to solve monsoon hazards

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 23, 2018: Water resources minister Letpao Haokip with education minister Th. Radheshyam and water resource department officials today inspected various places along the stretch of Heirok river in Thoubal district, which is a tributary of the Manipur River and falls into the Loktak lake.

The inspection came up after chief minister N.Biren Singh inspected the ongoing construction of canals at Phoubakchao Imphal Wes, yesterday. He inspected the dredging and fresh digging of Hayel Thongrambi canal near Uchiwa and Mangkhong and Lamboikhong canals at Phoubakchao, where he said seven canals connecting Imphal river and Loktak lake would be dug to reduce water volume of the river during rainy season.

Letpao appeals the public, especially river-bank dwellers to plant trees not to fell trees unnecessarily to solve floods and other problems arising out of water bodies.

The minister said checkdams or catchpits will be built along the Heirok river to regulate water-flow and also appealed the public, especially river-bank dwellers to plant trees.

Also popularly known as the Wangjing river, this river is a tributary of the Manipur river and falls into the Loktak lake.

The sites that were inspected today are the Heirok-II Wangpokpi bridge area and the Heingang Inganglok area. The later is the place of origin of this river.

Speaking about the purpose of the inspection visit, Letpao said the river flow of Heirok river has always been voluminous and wild, and is hard to controlled. With the rapid deforestation practices by the villagers alongside the rivers and in the hills, the volume and speed of the river has rapidly increased thereby causing flash floods and other damages to lives and properties. The sedimentary materials and wood logs that are carried along the way by the flow particularly have caused much damage, he added.

Letpao expressed that today’s inspection visit will bear fruit soon as his department is preparing a DPR to execute the plan and will shortly send the report for approval to the state plan or NEC or NABARD, whichever will be earlier and the more convenient. The project will be a part of the ‘Critical Flood Control and Anti-Erosion Works Along Rivers in Manipur River Basin’ project.

All should be aware and should be conscious enough to plant back trees so that the ecosystem and the environment remain balanced, water resource minister said.