Manipur chief minister, N. Biren Singh ordered quick measures to address the prevailing drought situation in state and to chalk out an action plan for any eventuality  during a high level meeting with ministers and officials of Agriculture, water resource, MOBC, Finance, PHED, and minor irrigation at the chief ministers secretariat on Monday. 

The chief minister further directed that sufficient number of water pumps, areas to be distributed to the farmers deeply troubled by rain starved monsoon. 

During the high level meeting it was decided that the existing 157 River Lift Irrigation, pumping of water from sources and minor irrigation departments shall be made operational by providing required maintenance and diesel.

In addition 120 pumps of MOBC department shall be place at the disposal of the agriculture department along with 121 pumps of agricultural department which will be operated on state expenses. 

The chief minister also directed that 100 more pumps to be procured by the government to deal with the drought situation.Post the meeting,  the farmers are directed to approach the Water Resources and Minor Irrigation departments for irrigation support.

 Further it was decided that after studying the rainfall situation over the next one week, more counter measures would be initiated.  If the situation merit, the state maybe declared drought hit, said the chief minister. 

Briefing media during an field inspection of River Lift Irrigation at Lambal Makha leikai, Imphal west today, the chief minister said every state is facing draught problems due to less rainfall. The government, he said is closely monitoring the development situation.