When Warnings Go Unheeded: The Lessons Behind Manipur’s Recurring Flood Crisis

Floodwaters have once again brought Imphal to its knees, and this year’s devastation is even more widespread than last year’s. For the second year in a row, the flood has arrived around the same time, yet the scale of preparedness appears no better—in fact, worse. The predictability of the disaster only deepens the sense of frustration and loss felt across the city.
What unfolded this year cannot be seen merely as the consequence of a natural event. It is a compounded disaster—made worse by administrative failure, a lack of pre-monsoon planning, and institutional silence. Multiple breaches occurred along the banks of the Imphal River, the Iril River also gave way, the Nambul River overflowed, and the Kongba River breached its banks. Almost every major river running through Imphal failed to hold, as mud embankments collapsed in several locations. These breaches led to water gushing into residential areas, paddy fields, submerging roads, homes, offices, and even critical infrastructure. It is no exaggeration to say that Imphal is witnessing a city-wide flood, largely caused by the breakdown of basic flood control systems.
Despite warnings from the past and known vulnerabilities, no significant flood prevention work seems to have been carried out by the authorities. Embankments remained weak and unreinforced, river dredging and desilting were either delayed or inadequate, and drainage infrastructure showed no signs of improvement. In the end, the rivers responded as expected—but the state did not.
This disaster cannot be written off as an act of nature alone—it is the direct consequence of administrative negligence and fragmented implementation of flood control measures. One of the most glaring examples lies in the incomplete construction of concrete retaining walls along several riverbanks. At many locations, construction was initiated but left unfinished. As the monsoon arrived, large stretches remained exposed and vulnerable. The timing of the work, or rather its delay, speaks volumes about the state’s approach to disaster preparedness.
A critical example is the Khuyathong culvert where the Naga River flows. This location became a flashpoint during last year’s floods when water could not pass through efficiently, contributing to widespread inundation. In response, the culvert was enlarged this year to allow smoother flow. However, once again, the work was not completed in time. As the flood hit, the culvert remained partially constructed, turning a planned solution into another point of failure. This unfinished work exemplifies the broader issue—piecemeal responses, poor planning, and last-minute execution that collapses under pressure.
In the face of this overwhelming situation, it was not the Water Resources Department or trained disaster management teams that led the initial response. It was the volunteers of Arambai Tenggol, Civil Society Organizations, SDRF, Assam Rifle and the Manipur Police who took the lead in rescuing stranded residents. Their courage and quick action deserve admiration, but their presence highlights the absence of institutional preparedness. The silence from departments responsible for preventing such a catastrophe is deafening.
Meanwhile, the flooding of hospitals such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) has raised serious concerns about urban planning and infrastructure policy. How can critical healthcare facilities be allowed to function in flood-prone areas without proper elevation, protection, or drainage systems? That such essential services were left vulnerable shows a complete lack of long-term thinking.
Ultimately, the flooding of Imphal is not just a result of heavy rains or swollen rivers—it is the result of systemic neglect. The city and its people are paying the price for an apathetic approach to governance, one that acts only after disaster strikes. It is no longer enough to blame nature. We must hold accountable those whose inaction made this crisis worse.