Imphal, July 4: The government-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) has suspended routine operations indefinitely from tomorrow because of the current spell of flash floods in Manipur valley.

Several parts of Imphal city are inundated because of incessant rain during the past five days. Though the water level of three major rivers that flow through Imphal valley have receded, several low-lying areas are still waterlogged.

Most parts of the institute complex at Porompat in East Imphal is under knee-deep water, inconveniencing medical staff and patients. The road leading to the hospital is also under water.

"The floods are affecting the healthcare services of the institute. The routine operations have been suspended from tomorrow till the situation improves. However, the emergency section will function," the director of the institute, L. Deben, told The Telegraph.

Sources said the laundry department of the institute has been flooded and power supply to the operation theatres cut off. Similarly, all classes at the institute were suspended for today and tomorrow. "The classrooms are inundated," Deben said.

The mortuary has been shut down with instructions that if any corpse is brought to the institute it would be referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal West. "The accident and trauma service and CT scan section, which was closed for two days, reopened today," the director said.

Officials of the institute said there was scarcity of water at the institute as tankers were unwilling to navigate the flooded roads.

"We are managing with some supplies. Patients will start complaining if this situation continues," a source in the institute said.

"Despite the floods in the institute complex and other parts of the valley, attendance in the institute was normal. We are trying our level best to continue the healthcare services," the director said.

The number of patients visiting the institute today was low. The relatives of those patients who are already admitted said they faced severe inconvenience in reaching the hospital. "The floods began on Saturday. The water level is rising steadily. It causes inconvenience for all, including the medical staff," Maibam Ram, the relative of a patient, said.

More than one lakh people have been affected by the floods in Manipur. Nearly 20,000 houses are submerged in the valley. Several relief camps have been opened.

Chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh yesterday reviewed the flood situation and declared it a "state calamity."

He instructed the district administration to fight the floods on a war-footing.

The state government is expected to seek financial assistance from the Centre to deal with the situation.