Heavy overnight rain caused widespread waterlogging across Imphal East and West districts on Monday, leaving several low‑lying localities struggling to cope with flooding. The downpour, which began late Sunday evening and continued for several hours, submerged residential areas and roads, hampering the daily movement of people and vehicles.
Among the worst‑affected areas were Sagolband, Kangabam Leikai, and the Govindaji Temple area, where rainwater accumulated to ankle‑ and knee‑deep levels in several pockets. Residents were seen making their way through flooded streets, while shopkeepers attempted to keep their goods dry by placing them on raised platforms. Commuters faced significant delays, with two‑wheelers stalling on waterlogged roads and cars forced to take detours through narrower lanes.
The flooding even reached the premises of the Govindaji Temple itself, one of the most visited religious sites in the state. Devotees who had gathered early in the morning for prayers were forced to wade through water inside the temple compound. Several residents expressed concern over repeated flooding of such culturally significant places during the monsoon, urging the authorities to take long‑term preventive measures.
Local residents attribute the persistent waterlogging to poorly maintained drainage systems. A resident of Kangabam Leikai described how the problem has worsened over the years:
“Earlier, our locality’s drains were about five feet deep. Now they are barely one foot, so water cannot flow properly. During every road black‑topping work, they add new layers without removing the old ones, making the road higher and our houses lower. This causes water to enter our homes whenever it rains. We request the authorities to dig the drains properly and avoid repeated layering of roads without removing the old surface. Otherwise, we will continue to suffer every monsoon.”
For many residents, the recurring problem of flooding during the monsoon season is not new. Similar incidents have been reported in previous years, but calls for comprehensive drainage reform remain unaddressed. As showers are expected to continue, locals are bracing themselves for possible flash floods and further disruption in the days ahead.
