DEVASTATING UNNATURAL
FLOOD IN RIMS RESIDENTIAL AREA
7th July 2011
The recent heavy
rainfall and poor drainage system of the Lamphelpat area
have led to flooding of the residential complex of RIMS
Imphal. This is a recent phenomenon and may be
attributed to the rising bed of the Nambul river in
consequence of the construction of concrete embankments,
the vastly increase catchment area of the drains passing
through the RIMS complex and the higher water level of
the Nambul river than that of the drains serving the
area. This is unnatural since the flood has been caused
by interference of the nature with modification by man,
poor planning and maintenance of drains and may be too
many diversion of drains in Imphal area towards RIMS
complex.
We see no
respite even after 2 weeks of getting flooded; rather
the water level is slowly rising. Many occupants of the
quarters and temporarily hostels have been made homeless
and had to be accommodated elsewhere as a temporary
relief. Apart from the inability of the affected staff
to attend to their duties leading to a compromise in the
health care of the RIMS Hospital, there are several
health issues that might come up. Water-borne diseases,
infectious diseases etc. are likely to affect the
residents of the affected area. The internal roads and
all means of communication have been damaged. Repair of
the damages of the roads, culverts and residential
quarters will take months and years for a complete
restoration.
The RIMS
authority has requested the IFCD engineers both verbally
as well as in writing to kindly get the water pumped out
efficiently at the earliest and help prevent occurrence
of disease, restore normal life of the occupants of the
affected quarters and avert further derangements of
provision of health care at RIMS. The Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare, New Delhi has been apprised of the
existing flood situation in RIMS campus and made aware
of the facts that we would be needing more funds for
repairs of quarters and construction of hostels, mainly
for the post-graduate students.
We are
hopeful that both the state Government and the Health
Ministry at the centre would listen to our woes and help
us pull out of the situation and render necessary
assistance for rehabilitation and development. |