Water crisis in Manipur: Government forced to shut some water supply plants

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Dec. 6 (EMN): With the arrival of the winter, most of the major rivers flowing in the Imphal valley are slowly drying up day by day forcing the government to shut some of the water supply plants.

This happened at Porompat sector of River Iril in Manipur’s Imphal East district.

The Public Health Engineering department and the government agencies have issued notifications to all concerned that there will be irregular water supply to the General Public in the areas covered by Porompat Water Treatment Plant as the raw water level in the River Iril has gone down below pumping level.

The areas covered by Porompat Water Treatment Plant will include JN  hospital, a state run government hospital in Imphal East district, while others include Officer Quarters Sanjenthong, New Checkon, Nongmeibung, Tribal Colony, Khamlabung Leirak, Soibam Leikai, Ayangpalli Road, Kongpal, Khurai Sajor Leikai, Thoudam Leikai, Thangjam Leikai, Tinsid Road, Tellipati, Wangkhei Khunou, Hatta, Rahmania, Top Khongnang Makhong etc.

The notification by the Executive Engineer of Water Supply Maintenance Division no II of Public Health Engineering Department further informed that the normal water supply will be resumed when raw water is available in abundance at River Iril.

Meanwhile, in a separate notification, the Executive Engineer of the same office has informed the public that trial and testing of the newly constructed Service Reservoir at Cheiraoching Hilltop will commence from Dec. 7. Hence, the normal water supply to areas of Thangmeiband, Langol, Lalambung, Sanakeithel and Lamphel will be disrupted for a period of 20 days. Consumers have been requested to bear with the department until the completion of the testing of the reservoir.

In view of the development, demand for water tankers is reportedly on the rise in some localities of the state capital.

According to reports, the entire population of Imphal and sub-urban areas including the floating population of para-military forces need 101.9 million litres per day. However the actual production from 17 water supply plants in the Imphal area is yet to meet the growing demands.