Imphal — After days of devastation caused by the flash floods in Manipur, normalcy is beginning to return, with the state government announcing the reopening of all schools in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts from June 12. This decision marks a major step toward restoring educational routines disrupted by one of the worst natural disasters to strike the state in recent memory.
An official order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East, Nivedita Lairenlakpam, confirmed that all government, government-aided, and private schools in the district will resume normal functioning from Wednesday. A similar directive was issued by Imphal West’s Deputy Commissioner, Mayanglambam Rajkumar Singh, bringing long-awaited clarity to thousands of students, parents, and educators.
🌊 Flood Disruption: A Quick Recap
The devastating floods that swept through Manipur in early June impacted over 1.65 lakh residents and damaged more than 35,000 houses across 708 localities. Torrential rainfall led to water levels rising to waist- and neck-deep in several areas of Imphal, forcing evacuations, damaging infrastructure, and even temporarily shutting down key government offices including those of the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and Porompat Police Station.
Several localities in Imphal East—notably Khurai, Wangkhei, Thambalkhong, and Bashikhong—were among the worst-hit. Tragically, at least four people, including three children, lost their lives in the flash floods.
On June 1, the government had extended summer holidays for all schools in the flood-affected districts “until further notice” to ensure the safety of students and staff.
🏫 Schools Set to Reopen with Safety Measures
In the wake of improving conditions, the respective district administrations have now assessed the ground realities and deemed it safe to resume in-person classes. According to the official orders, zonal education officers, principals, and headmasters have been instructed to take all precautionary measures for a safe and smooth reopening.
This includes:
Ensuring campus cleanliness and hygiene
Assessing any structural damage to buildings
Confirming availability of clean drinking water and sanitation
Making arrangements to assist flood-affected students and staff
The decision brings relief to thousands of schoolchildren whose education had been stalled due to the disaster.
📸 Compensation Process for Flood Victims Underway
Meanwhile, the administrations of both Imphal East and West districts have urged residents to submit damage reports for compensation. Affected households are required to provide photographic evidence and details of losses to their respective Sub-Deputy Collectors (SDCs) or Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs).
This compensation drive aims to assist families who lost homes, belongings, or livelihood during the floods. It’s a critical part of the government’s ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
🧒 A Focus on Education and Recovery
With schools reopening, focus now shifts to rebuilding the educational environment and supporting students emotionally and academically. Teachers have been advised to:
Be flexible with schedules and assignments.
Provide counseling and emotional support to flood-affected children.
Identify students who may need additional academic assistance due to the prolonged break.
Given the traumatic impact of the disaster on young minds, mental health support will be essential in the coming weeks.
📌 Final Thoughts
The reopening of schools in Imphal East and West is more than just a logistical update—it's a symbol of resilience and recovery. Despite the widespread destruction and tragic loss of life, the state is slowly moving toward normalcy. The coming days will be crucial in ensuring that education is not another casualty of the disaster.
As the administration works on long-term recovery and infrastructure reinforcement, residents and officials alike are urged to stay vigilant, especially as monsoon patterns remain unpredictable.
For now, June 12 stands as a hopeful date—a small but important return to routine for thousands of children in Manipur.
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