Nature’s fury has once again exposed the vulnerability of Manipur and several North Eastern states, as relentless floods continue to wreak havoc on thousands of homes and affect the lives of lakhs. What was once dismissed as “seasonal” or “natural” calamity has now grown into a recurring crisis, each year more destructive than the last. But the deeper question remains: why is Mother Nature seemingly so unforgiving?
A prominent political thinker from the state recently pointed out that the disaster is not just the result of rainfall, but rather the outcome of years of mismanagement, insincere execution of development works, and corruption-fuelled greed. His words resonate with many who see the flooding not as an act of God, but a consequence of human neglect. Indeed, the inability of those in power to act responsibly, plan effectively, and implement development with foresight has pushed Manipur to this point of recurring disaster.
Unlike many other parts of the world, Manipur’s approach to natural disasters has remained largely reactive. Rescue, relief, and rehabilitation dominate the headlines only after the disaster strikes. There is little effort toward long-term environmental planning or infrastructural resilience. Retaining walls are built halfway, drainage systems are left clogged, and embankments are reinforced only when rivers begin to swell.
Contrast this with cities like Tokyo or Amsterdam, which have invested heavily in flood control systems that combine engineering precision with scientific forecasting. In the Netherlands, where much of the land lies below sea level, the government has built extensive dikes, storm surge barriers, and managed retreat strategies under its “Room for the River” programme. Instead of attempting to conquer water, they have embraced and redirected it intelligently.
Similarly, Tokyo employs a massive underground floodwater diversion system—the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel—designed to protect the city from flash floods and typhoons. These infrastructures are not mere reactionary structures but are outcomes of long-term policies that prioritise public safety, sustainability, and environmental harmony.
India, too, offers its own success stories. In states like Kerala and Sikkim, where landslides and floods are frequent, efforts have been made to blend traditional knowledge with modern disaster management strategies. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), for instance, has introduced real-time flood forecasting, GIS-based hazard mapping, and early warning systems in several districts. These systems were crucial in mitigating loss during the 2019 monsoon.
Meanwhile, Manipur continues to lag behind. The warning signs have been there for years: unchecked deforestation in hill areas, degradation of catchment zones, mindless urban expansion without drainage planning, and a slow or nonexistent response to climate adaptation. When floodwaters enter people’s homes year after year, it should no longer be seen as nature’s wrath, but as a human failure. Incomplete infrastructure projects, such as the Khuyathong culvert, which was supposed to prevent flooding but remains unfinished even after becoming a critical issue last year, are a stark symbol of this failure.
Mother Nature, it seems, is not angry without reason. The anger is directed at the decades of insincerity, poor governance, and greed that have prioritised profit over planning. When contractors cut corners and authorities look away, rivers change their course and reclaim their floodplains. When wetlands are encroached for “development,” they lose their ability to absorb excess rainfall. And when climate warnings are ignored, entire communities pay the price.
Moving forward, Manipur must adopt a scientific and decentralised approach to disaster preparedness. There is a need for comprehensive watershed management, strict monitoring of construction works, afforestation drives with community participation, and use of technology for real-time flood monitoring. Local governance must be empowered, and disaster management plans should be audited regularly for gaps.
The solution does not lie only in constructing concrete structures. It lies in rebuilding trust in the system, re-establishing transparency in execution, and learning from the successful models across India and abroad. The government must listen to experts, engage communities, and put sustainability above short-term gains.
Nature will always have her rhythms, but whether she strikes in anger or flows in balance depends largely on how humans choose to live with her. For Manipur, the current crisis must be more than a tragedy — it must be a turning point.