On September 14, 2025, the sudden opening of four gates at the Mapithel dam in Manipur led to catastrophic flooding in the Thoubal river basin. This abrupt release inundated farmlands, fish farms, and homes, tragically resulting in the loss of two elderly lives.
Keisham Meghachandra, president of the Manipur Congress, criticized the Water Resource Department (WRD), claiming it caused a “man-made disaster.” He mentioned that there was a lack of communication with those living downstream. In response, the WRD clarified that the water discharge was necessary due to heavy rainfall, not mismanagement. They insisted that adequate warnings were given to affected communities.
Floods have become a recurring issue in Manipur. In 2024, a breach in the Imphal river’s western bank affected around 200,000 residents, damaging over 24,000 homes. Despite this being one of the worst floods in recent years, the central government did not include Manipur in their flood assistance package. In June 2025, further flooding impacted 164,879 people, prompting evacuations and setting up relief camps. The Ministry of Home Affairs later allocated ₹29.20 crores to aid in disaster relief for affected areas.
Just a few months later, in September 2025, new flooding occurred in the Thoubal and Iril river basins, with damage estimates pending but suspected to be significant. Residents reported extensive destruction in areas previously unaffected.
Manipur’s geographical features contribute to its flooding issues. An increase in rainfall in the surrounding hills can quickly swell rivers, causing breaches. Brajakumar Tourangbam, director of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, explained how rapid rainfall leads to overflowing rivers and significant damage.
According to Indrakumar Laishram, a research scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University, the rainfall patterns have shifted from predictable to erratic. Recent data shows severe rainfall in September, with levels sometimes exceeding normal by over 2,000%. This rapid change puts greater stress on the region’s infrastructure and ecosystems, leading to more frequent and severe floods.
The floods have devastated agriculture, the backbone of the local economy. Critical infrastructure, like the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, has been shut down multiple times due to flooding. Local resident Nongmaithem Khelchandra shared his heartbreak: “For three floods, we’ve lost everything. We received only 2 kg of rice from the government.” This highlights significant gaps in disaster relief efforts.
Environmental degradation, such as deforestation and urban encroachment, has made matters worse. According to Laishram, invasive species and litter also obstruct river flow, worsening flooding. Meghachandra emphasized the need for better coordination among government bodies to mitigate future disasters, stating that the dam’s operations weren’t well-coordinated with other departments.
In response to the increasing incidents of flooding, the Manipur High Court has initiated a Public Interest Litigation to hold authorities accountable for the systematic neglect of disaster preparedness. The next hearing is set for October 3.
In conclusion, Manipur faces a growing crisis due to flooding exacerbated by environmental changes and institutional failures. Without better management and collaboration, the risk to lives and livelihoods will continue to rise.
For further insights into flooding in Manipur, check this report on [Mongabay](https://india.mongabay.com/2025/10/floods-in-manipur-worsened-by-human-activities-and-climate-pressures/).
