May 07, 2018: A devastating cyclone lashed out at several parts of Tripura leaving behind a trail of destruction today. One elderly woman Hiramani Santhal (60) of Chathnital under Khowai died after her mud-house collapsed on her. Government sources claimed that winds travelled at 150km per hour speed and raged down the village. In the storm which started on Sunday night and continued till Monday dawn, around 16 persons sustained injuries while gusty wind raged down houses of all the families of the village. BSF jawans rushed to the village and launched massive rescue operations.
Several blocks under Udaipur in Gomati districts also experienced heavy downpour coupled with hail storm and inflicted heavy crop losses as well as destroyed several houses.
The Chief Minister Biplab Deb today visited the storm affected areas under Khowai district and later held meetings with concerned officials to ensure proper distribution of relief materials and compensation to the victims of storm.
He also announced financial assistance of worth Rs 1 lakh to the family members of Hiramani Santhal from Chief Minister’s relief fund. Besides, he asked the sub-division Office to provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to bereaved family members.
Speaking to media, Deb said, affected families would receive an interim financial relief of worth Rs 2000 in cash and another Rs 5000 through cheque. He also announced people who are the worst sufferers would get compensation of Rs 95 thousand. He ordered concerned sub-divisional Officers to ensure speedy distribution of compensation. “Injured people are undergoing treatment in hospitals and medical facilities are also available in the relief camp”, Deb said.
Biplab Deb tweeted, “There has been heavy damage due thunderstorm at various places of Tripura.All the DMs directed to open relief camps for affected families & to provide food,water,free health check up.Also immediate assistance upto 1lakh per damaged house, Rs 2000 for cloths, is being sanctioned”.
During his visit in Bechhara area, Social Welfare and Social Justice Minister Swantana Chakma, MLAs Kalyani Roy and Prashanta Debbarma, Chief secretary Sanjeev Ranjan, Principal secretary Kumar Alok and other officers were present.
