Imphal: A 33-year-old Kuki-Zo tribal man was found dead on Saturday, August 1, after being swept away by flash floods in the Lanva River in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, bringing to an end a two-day search operation. The incident marks the first flood-related death reported in the state during this year’s monsoon.
The victim, identified as Thangjohnson, a resident of New Lamka Vengnuam South and son of the late Paukhanmung, was swept away on Thursday after heavy monsoon rain triggered flash floods and widespread waterlogging across parts of Churachandpur.
According to reports, Thangjohnson had gone to check on embankment construction work along the riverbank when he attempted to retrieve construction equipment that had been carried away by the strong current. He was overwhelmed by the swollen waters of the Lanva River, a tributary of the Khuga River system, and disappeared.
Rescue efforts involving local authorities, family members, and volunteer search teams began on Friday. After an intensive two-day search, his body was recovered from the Lanva River near Lanva village in New Lamka Vengnuam South on Saturday morning.
The recovery confirms the first fatality linked to the current spell of monsoon flooding in Manipur. Meanwhile, district authorities, led by Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar, continue to monitor the flood situation and oversee relief and damage assessment in severely affected areas, including Tuibong, Sielmat and Hiangtam Lamka.