School Holiday Today: Manipur Governor Anusuya Uike has declared a public holiday on Wednesday due to heavy rains and severe flooding in many parts of the state.
In a statement, the governor said that all government offices, including public sector undertakings, corporations, autonomous bodies, societies under the authority of the Government of Manipur, banks and other financial institutions, will remain closed on June 3.
Similarly, the Manipur Directorate of Education-Schools has declared a holiday for all schools in the state, including private schools, on Wednesday and Thursday as a precautionary measure in view of the flood-like situation in many areas.
Incessant rains for the past few days have overflowed rivers in Manipur, inundating many places in Imphal West, Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts.
Water levels of major rivers of Manipur including Imphal River, Iril River, Nambul River, Nambol River, Thoubal River and Manipur River are flowing at high flood level and still rising.
Five gates of Ithai barrage have been opened, while four gates of Imphal barrage have been fully opened.
The state water resources department’s daily flood report updated till 5 am on Tuesday noted that Kangpokpi district recorded the highest rainfall at 96 mm.
The Manipur government issued a public advisory on Monday evening, in which the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in the state for the next five days.
The advisory advises the public to avoid living in unsecured structures and take shelter during thunderstorms and lightning strikes.
It also said that people should avoid working in fields during thunderstorms and ensure proper arrangements to avoid runoff during rains.
The advisory directed all deputy commissioners to issue precautionary guidelines immediately to mitigate the expected calamity at the earliest. The public advisory also includes helpline numbers for 18 different control rooms.
Government is carrying out rescue and relief operations through concerned district administration and concerned departments.
“The general public is urged to remain indoors except in emergencies so that authorities can carry out rescue and relief operations and evacuate the trapped persons smoothly,” it said.
The state health department has advised all chief medical officers not to leave their respective stations and to continue health care in all public health facilities.
It also mentioned that the officials should coordinate with the concerned district administration for necessary management.
