The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Manipur is revealed by the grim statistics: 160 landslides, 35,384 damaged homes, and over 1.5 lakh people affected across the state, according to official numbers. Manipur, however, remains remote in the national psyche. A cascading ecological calamity that receives neither national empathy nor government attention is further taxing the state, already reeling from a protracted ethnic conflict that began on May 3, 2023.
While central agencies like the NDRF and the armed forces have been deployed, extensive inter-ministerial cooperation is yet to be established. Although relief and medical camps have been established, the sheer number of people affected and the agricultural land lost far outweigh these efforts. Since May 30, flooding has forced hundreds of people to relocate within Senapati district. They are in constant need of relief supplies, including food, clean water, blankets, and hygiene kits. Significant infrastructure damage has resulted from landslides, cutting off important national routes, including NH-2, NH-102A, and NH-129A. Disruptions to mobile networks and power outages have further isolated many areas.
Now, the threat is multiplying across the state with incessant rainfall. Due to 175 mm of rain in Kangpokpi over the past 72 hours, the Imphal river has crossed its high-flood level, triggering overflow and embankment breaches. The government has issued urgent evacuation advisories for low-lying areas in Imphal, such as Sagolband, Thangmeiband, and Kwakta, where severe waterlogging has disrupted daily life and traffic. In the districts of Senapati, Imphal East, and Imphal West, 16 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been mobilised by the Department of Health Services. There is a 24-hour health helpline (104) for medical emergencies.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Chandel, Churachandpur, Kakching, Thoubal, and Pherzawl are expected to receive heavy rainfall. Moreh, Kamjong, Chandel, and Ukhrul recorded 102 mm, 96 mm, 76 mm, and 60.8 mm, respectively, on Thursday last week alone. The likelihood of landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapse has significantly increased. The public has been advised by district magistrates from Chandel, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Tengnoupal to stay indoors, keep away from low-lying regions, and pay attention to evacuation alerts as the rains continue. Postponing fishing, farming, and non-essential travel until the weather stabilises has also been stressed in these advisories. A notice has also alerted the public to the increased risk of electrocution from water seeping into transformers and substations.
Travel advisories further highlight the state’s transportation vulnerability. A huge landslide at Phaibung has rendered the Ukhrul–Tadubi road inaccessible. Although NH-2 (Imphal–Senapati) is still passable, there are muddy areas between Kalapahar and Peren, and the Maram–Peren route is totally closed due to several landslides across different sections.
On June 3, residents were urged by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East and Imphal West to formally report any damage to their respective SDOs and SDCs in a specified format. Such bureaucratic procedures, while necessary for accountability, may present challenges for persons who are already dislocated and unable to advocate for themselves. Will they receive their fair share of relief even if damage reports are filed, and if so, how? Is Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) the solution if no third parties are involved?
In Manipur, floods are a recurring problem, especially after periods of precipitation. The state saw three rounds of flooding in May 2024 alone. The current episode has revealed stark deficiencies in early warning systems, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness.
Disasters exacerbate systemic negligence. Manipur’s flood catastrophe is also the result of a lack of federal responsiveness and national attention. What has happened to the media, ministerial visits, parliamentary debates, relief packages, and special funds? Where is the moral urgency that accompanies floods in Gujarat, Chennai, or Mumbai? Community members were the first to respond to this emergency, supporting one another and giving impacted families food, housing, and other necessities.
In addition to relief and mitigation, a comprehensive national emergency response is required in light of the June 5 status report, IMD alerts, real-time road collapses, and rising rivers. Ignoring this is not just bureaucratic indifference; it is also federal injustice and climate injustice. The government must stop this from becoming another emergency that India watches from a distance.
The writer is an independent researcher from Manipur. Views are personal
