Panic in Kailashahar as Manu river swells; swift action by authorities averts flood threat

A sudden rise in the water level of the Manu River triggered panic in Latiyapura village under Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district on Tuesday morning, after water began entering through a cut portion of an embankment near the India-Bangladesh international border.

Residents of Latiyapura raised alarm as water gushed in through the vulnerable section, creating a tense situation across the village. The incident quickly spread on social media, leading to widespread panic across the Kailashahar subdivision in Unakoti district.

Acting swiftly on the instructions of District Magistrate (DM) Dr Tamal Majumdar, the Flood Control Department initiated emergency measures by placing sandbags and boulders to plug the breach and prevent further water ingress.

It may be recalled here that Kailashahar, the district headquarters of Unakoti, has been experiencing continuous rainfall for the past three days. The heavy downpour has led to water accumulation in drains, Laxmicherra stream, and several rural canals, while also causing a steady rise in the water level of the Manu River.

The embankment at the zero point—located inside the barbed-wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border—had earlier been partially cut to install a large iron pipe for drainage of accumulated rainwater, a recurring issue in the area during rainfall. However, the sudden surge in river water on Tuesday caused water to flow through the cut section, triggering the emergency.

By around 5 PM, DM(Unakoti) Dr Tamal Majumdar, along with Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Bipul Das and Flood Control Department Executive Engineer Ranjay Debbarma, visited the site to assess the situation and supervise the ongoing work. Officials of the Border Security Force were also present during the inspection.

Speaking on the situation, the District Magistrate assured that there is no cause for panic. He stated that the situation arose due to the sudden increase in river water levels, but necessary work has already begun. He further informed that although the water level of the Manu River has risen, it still remains about 1.5 meters below the danger mark.

He added that unless there is further rainfall in the higher catchment areas such as Kanchanpur and Longtharai Valley, the water level is unlikely to rise significantly.

Despite continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days, no major damage has been reported across the district. While several trees, electric poles, and some houses have been affected, and water has entered a few homes in low-lying areas, no residents have been displaced or moved to relief shelters.

The administration remains on high alert and is fully prepared to tackle any emergency, the District Magistrate said.