General
The district of Kakching came into existence on the 8th December 2016 when the State Government announced the formation of 7 new districts through a notification of the Government of Manipur, (Secretariat: Revenue Department Order No. 16/20/2016-R dated 8th December 2016), (Manipur Extraordinary Gazette No. 408 of 9.12.2016). It is situated in the southeastern part of Manipur. It is bounded by Thoubal and Imphal West districts on the north, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts on the east, Bishnupur districts on the west and Chandel district on the south. Its average elevation is not very much different from the rest of the Manipur Valley, which is about 790 metres on an average above the mean sea level. Although the district is a part of the valley, the area of the district is not entirely plain. Many rivers flow through the district and many lakes dot its surface, some of which are closely intertwined with many folk tales and stories.
4(four) Assembly Constituencies namely Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency, Wabgai Assembly Constituency, Sugnu Assembly Constituency and Kakching Assembly Constituency fall under the District. Kakching district comprises two sub-divisions namely Kakching and Waikhong. It has 3 Municipal Councils namely, Kakching, Sugnu and Kakching Khunou. The district has two community development blocks one each at Kakching and Waikhong sub-division.
Location
The district occupies the bigger portion of the southeastern half of Manipur valley. It lies between 24.64’N and 24.23’ N latitude and 94.07’E and 93.82’E longitude.
Climate
On the whole, the district has an equitable and pleasant climate. Rainfall is relatively abundant and widespread. The rainy season starts in June with the onset of the southwest monsoon and lasts up to September. Intermittent rains continue even up to October along with the retreat of the monsoon. The winter season lasts from December to February. During the winter months, light rainfall occurs under the influence of the northeast monsoon, March and October are by far the most pleasant months in the year. Of Late, some changes in the climate calendar in the state are observed which some expert meteorologists attribute the cause as mainly due to deforestation in the hills surrounding the valley.
The summer months are never oppressive with the average maximum temperature fluctuating between 32°C to 35°C during April-June, the mercury seldom going beyond 37°C. In December-February with the start of the cold winter months, the average minimum temperature falls from 6°C to 4°C, the temperature going below 0°C.
Roads
A very important road i.e. National Highway No. 39 runs through this district and the same leads to Myanmar (Burma) via Moreh and Tamu. In the days before the independence of India, this road has a historical significance was used as the main route of many military expeditions and counter expedition by the forces of Manipur and Burma (Myanmar) and later on by the British Government. This road i.e. NH-39 is the main lifeline of the people in this district.
Rivers
Important rivers that flow through the district are the Imphal and the Thoubal. It forms the boundary demarcating line of Thoubal district on its north and the west. These rivers were once good means of transport for valuable merchandise. Other rivers in the district are the Wangjing, the Arong and the Sekmai. With the advent of cheap and faster means of road transport, these rivers no longer serve as routes of transportation of goods. Still, they provide good building materials in the shape of sand, pebbles and boulders and a means of livelihood for a large number of people inhabiting along with their courses.
The south-western portion of the district is a low-land forming a part of the Loktak Lake region and this area has a number of shallow and rain-fed lakes, the important ones being Kharung, Ikop, Pumlen, Lousi and Ngangou. On the northern portion, there is Waithou lake.