Manipur flood-affected families seek timely support to rebuild damaged homes

Even as floodwaters continue to recede, a majority of flood-affected families in Manipur remain in relief camps set up across various locations. Many of them, whose homes were completely or partially destroyed, are urging the government for immediate and adequate support to help them resume normal life.
 

Several residential areas in Imphal East district were devastated by flooding that struck just before the onset of the monsoon. The disaster followed the breaching of the Imphal River and the overflowing of the Kongba River. Wangkhei, Heingang, Heikrumakhong, Checkon, and Palace Compound are among the worst-hit localities.

According to official reports, over 1,65,787 people have been affected, with one reported death and damage to 35,342 houses. Most of the displaced families are currently residing in over 70 relief camps.

During the peak of the disaster, more than 4,000 people were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Manipur Fire Service, the Indian Army, local volunteers, and members of Arambai Tengol.

Although the water has receded, the emotional and material loss continues to haunt the victims. Many have returned to their damaged homes to salvage any remaining belongings.

Numerous families are in a helpless situation, anxiously waiting for the government to provide relief and compensation to help rebuild their lives.

Konjengbam Ibemcha, a resident of Heikrumakhong, shared the trauma of losing her home. “My house is located on the bank of the Imphal River. When the river breached on May 31, our entire village was submerged. Some houses were swept away, others completely or partially damaged. All of them now need to be reconstructed or renovated,” she said.
 

She added that most people in her locality live in poverty, surviving hand-to-mouth. “I work at a private school. All my hard-earned savings and property were destroyed within hours. One of my children is differently-abled, and staying in a relief camp is extremely challenging. This disaster has turned our lives upside down,” she said with tears.

While expressing gratitude to those who extended help during the crisis, she appealed to the government to support them in rebuilding their homes.

Khaidem Bembem, from Maiba Khun Maning Leikai in Imphal East, is another flood victim currently living in a relief camp. She shared similar hardships.

“Our village was also flooded last year. At that time, we stayed in this same relief camp. The government had announced Rs 10,000 in relief for each affected family, but I haven’t received it yet. And now, we are facing another flood without getting any compensation for the previous one,” she lamented.

Bembem’s family lives in poverty. Her husband is a daily wage laborer, and she is the mother of four children, one of whom is a three-year-old heart patient. She awaits support from the authorities with growing desperation.

Conflict-hit Manipur continues to face recurring natural disasters. The recent flood has once again highlighted the vulnerability of its people, the scale of destruction to property and agricultural land, and the urgent need for sustainable relief and rehabilitation measures.