Unless we increase the number of water bodies the problems of drinking water scarcity will remain unsolved. Therefore actions need to be taken to increase the number of water bodies. Lakes have disappeared. With it ponds too have gone. Nothing is done to store the rain waters. A state like Manipur, which receives rainfall round the year also sees occurrence of drought. But drought and rain cannot go together. Drought occurs at the place where there is no rainfall. The decision of the Government of Manipur to make a small lake at Lamphelpat will be of great help in storing rain water during the rainy season. The rain water thus collected can be used during the lean season when there is dry spell, which usually occurs during the winter. The mini lake will also be of immense help in controlling artificial flood, which occurs during the rainy season at Lamphel areas. When the Nambul River is in spate the culver at Shamushang at Uripok will have its shutters down to block entry of river water towards Lamphel side. But once the culvert is closed the flood water accumulated at Lamphel side will remain stagnant with the drains full with water. It had happened in the past Lamphel area remained under flood water for almost one month or more than that. If a lake as proposed by the Government of Manipur is dug out the flood water will flow into the lake. Such big lake will also be a tourist spot. Our thinking is such good work cannot be delayed. The work should be done on water footing. What is important is the depth of the proposed lake. It should be very deep not less than 100 feet to increase water storage capacity and also to increase purity of water. Lamphel was once a lake. Accumulation of filthy materials like herbs and shrubs over prolonged period of time has made Lamphel soil black in colour. So the water accumulated at Lamphel area is also black in colour, which cannot be used for human consumption. Even the fishes caught from Lamphel area are black in colour. Engineers of the IFCD, which will be an agency of the proposed work, should advise the higher up authority to make the mini lake one of the deepest lakes in the state. Let it bring solace to one and all.<\/p>\n\n