In a severe spell of monsoon devastation, large parts of Manipur have been battered by flash floods and landslides over the past few days, leaving thousands of families displaced. Heavy and relentless rains have submerged more than 5,000 houses, destroyed roads, and cut off several key regions from the rest of the state.
Officials confirmed that torrential downpours have affected both valley and hill districts, with rising water levels inundating homes and agricultural land. Many families were forced to flee to makeshift shelters, carrying only essential belongings. Relief teams have been deployed, but officials admitted that rescue and relief operations have been hampered by blocked roads and continuous rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that intense to very heavy rainfall will continue in Manipur and other parts of the Northeast in the coming days. The alert has raised fresh concerns among residents already struggling with waterlogging, disrupted electricity supply, and shortages of food and medical supplies. The IMD warning has also led to state authorities ramping up disaster preparedness and deploying additional teams in flood-prone districts.
The persistent downpours have triggered landslides along major highways, further complicating the situation. National and state highways connecting Imphal to other districts have been blocked at several points, leaving trucks and passenger vehicles stranded for hours. Road closures have also delayed the delivery of relief material to the worst-affected areas. Officials said that engineers and work crews are working around the clock to clear debris and restore connectivity, but warned that continuing rainfall makes it difficult to ensure stability.
In a safety measure, the Manipur government announced that all schools and colleges across the state would remain closed on September 16. The decision, taken late on Monday, was aimed at protecting students and staff from risks posed by waterlogged roads, damaged infrastructure, and the possibility of more landslides. Education authorities said classes will resume only after weather conditions stabilize. Parents have been urged to keep children indoors and to avoid unnecessary travel.
Flood victims, meanwhile, are in urgent need of relief. Civil society groups and local volunteers have stepped in to distribute food packets, drinking water, and basic medicines in relief camps. Residents in several affected districts told reporters that they fear an outbreak of water-borne diseases if the situation continues. With sanitation systems overwhelmed and clean water in short supply, health officials are already issuing warnings about potential health risks.
Agricultural losses are also mounting. Paddy fields in valley districts have been submerged, raising concerns about food security in the coming months. Farmers expressed fears that if floodwaters do not recede soon, their standing crops will be destroyed, causing financial hardship in addition to the human cost.
State disaster management officials have appealed to the central government for assistance, including financial aid and deployment of additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units. Early reports indicate that helicopters may be used to airlift stranded villagers if road access cannot be restored quickly.
The floods in Manipur highlight the growing vulnerability of Northeast India to extreme weather events. Experts have warned that deforestation, unchecked urbanisation, and fragile mountain ecosystems are increasing the frequency and severity of floods and landslides in the region. They have urged both state and central governments to prioritise long-term mitigation measures such as better drainage systems, flood-resilient housing, and stricter land use regulations.
As Manipur braces for more heavy rain, the immediate focus remains on saving lives and extending relief to the displaced. Authorities have asked citizens to stay alert, avoid riverside areas, and heed official advisories. For thousands who have lost their homes, however, the fear is not only about enduring the rains but also about rebuilding their lives once the waters recede.
