Imphal water crisis: 100 water filling points to be operational

The Manipur government has made elaborate arrangements to relieve the people from the acute water crisis which has left a harsh impact on the day to day lives of those living in Imphal and adjoining areas.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Manipur PHED minister L Susindro Meitei informed that necessary arrangements have been made at the Khuman Lampak Sports complex where at least 100 water filling points will be made operational.

L Susindro Meitei sharing the government’s plans to fight the crisis said,”Today itself we are planning to make about 100 water filling points here in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. All the source is coming from Chingkhei Ching, that is 45 MLD (million litres per day), we will supply here 100 trucks at a single time. And, now we are preparing, we will try to inaugurate tomorrow itself by evening. Chief Minister N Biren Singh will do it. This (venue) is most sufficient because it is the center place of Imphal. Everyone can come and collect the water from here also.”

When asked as to how long this arrangement will continue, the minister informed,”It will continue for a month. It will be free of cost. After 1 month we are going to supply from the water supply area.”

The Manipur PHED minister also highlighted about the severity of the situation when he spoke about the water requirements for the Imphal city.

He said,”In Imphal city we require more than 130 MLD per day but we have a source from the Chingkhei Ching from the Thoubaldam but in this source we are getting only 40 MLD. This 40 MLD we are supplying all the places turnwise. So there are some place which do not have pipeline or cannot be reached for any other reason. So in that places we are using portable water reservoirs.”

Meanwhile, L Susindro Meitei deforestation that has led to decline in rainfall causing water crisis. He added,”You see our Honourable CM has already mentioned from the last 6 years against deforestation. You may know about the deforestation. The recently revoked SoO which involved deforestation and poppy cultivation. So, because of this so much have happened.”

The government is also trying to fetch water from other sources. The Manipur PHED minister informed,”Now apart from that source also we are trying to bring from the Loktak Lake and from 2-3 other sources. So we are planning for that, but the main reason of this because of deforestation.”

According to the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment published by the Space Application Centre Manipur has 15 major rivers / streams having 166.77 sq. km. of total area i.e. about 0.75 % of the total geographical area of the state.

About 90% of the drinking water supply in urban area of the state is from the three major rivers namely Imphal River, Nambul River and Iril River. There are four major river basins of Manipur state –
Barak River Basin (Barak Valley) to the West
Manipur River Basin in central Manipur
Yu River Basin in the East, and
Portion of the Liyai River Basin in the North