Manipur, already battered by months of unrest and humanitarian challenges, has been struck by fresh devastation as monsoon floods submerged vast stretches of the valley districts on Monday. Major rivers, including the Iril, Thoubal, and Nongdambi, breached embankments, displacing thousands and compounding the suffering of people still struggling to rebuild their lives.

In Imphal East, the Iril River overflowed at Kshetri Awang Leikai under Kshetrigao constituency, inundating homes and paddy fields. More than a thousand families in Santi Khongbal, Seijang, Sabungkhok Khunou, Nongada, and Tellou-Chana were forced to evacuate as swollen tributaries caused widespread waterlogging. Relief camps at Yourabung, Seijang, and Nongada are now overcrowded with families crammed into makeshift shelters.

Thoubal district witnessed severe flooding after breaches along the Thoubal River at Haokha, Leishangthem, Khekman, and Keibung submerged several villages, leaving families marooned. The Nongdambi River triggered inundation in Salungpham, Sangaiyumpham, Yairipok, and Wangjing, while a landslide at Kairembikhok blocked the river’s flow, worsening the situation in Shalungpham, Langmeithet, and Lourembam. Shalungpham alone reported over 200 homes underwater.

Tragedy struck when the body of a man was recovered from the Imphal River at Mayang Imphal on Sunday morning. Police said the body, found near Maibam Bridge, has been sent for post-mortem at RIMS, Imphal. In another incident, a 70-year-old man identified as Md. Ranjan, son of late Md. Najir Ali of Kshetri Awang Leikai, was swept away by the Iril River on Monday afternoon and remains untraceable.

Infrastructure has also taken a heavy hit. A wooden bridge linking Yairipok Changamdabi (Imphal East) and Yairipok Malom (Thoubal) was washed away, cutting off vital connectivity. Several parts of Thoubal, including Wangjing Wangkhei, Wangjing Hodamba, and Khangabok, were inundated. Even the relief camp for internally displaced persons at Wangjing Kodompokpi Sports Complex was flooded, worsening the plight of conflict-hit families.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast more rainfall over the next two days, and district authorities have warned of further breaches. Residents have been urged not to cross flooded rivers or walk through strong currents.

For Manipur, the floods are more than a natural disaster—they are yet another blow to a society already fractured by unrest, testing the resilience of its people and straining the state’s capacity to respond.