Tripura experienced a storm on April 21 last that caused widespread power outages and extensive damage to property. While power sector suffered the most, mobile and internet services were also disrupted.
Also, many houses were also damaged, rubber growers and farmers also faced losses.
Power Minister of Tripura Ratanlal Nath on Saturday (April 22) confirmed that 23 divisions and 79 sub-divisions were affected, with the Sonamura and Belonia divisions being the hardest hit.
Preliminary assessments showed that the storm caused damage to 337 km of transmission lines, 577 electric poles, and 57 transformers.
The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has been working tirelessly to restore power and has completed 70-75% of the restoration work despite staff shortages.
In Khowai Subdivision, it was a hailstorm on April 22 lasting two and a half hours caused significant damage, including the destruction of almost 90% of the tin roofs of buildings, as well as disruptions to electricity, telephone, and internet services.
Although electricity services were restored on the same night, telephone and internet services remained interrupted. The hailstones also damaged standing crops, causing a major setback for local farmers.
The affected areas have received administrative attention, and officials have been dispatched to provide assistance to the affected residents.
A delegation of Municipal Councilors, led by Chairman of Khowai Municipal Council Debashish Nath Sharma, visited 15 wards in the Khowai Municipal area to assess the extent of property loss and pledged to extend as much help as possible to the victims.
In the Bishalgarh sub-division, approximately 217 houses in different areas, including Bishalgarh, Ghanimara Charilam, Tuimairanga, Batanmura, Amtali ADC Village, and Madhupur, suffered significant damage. Rubber plantations were also destroyed, and power supply was disrupted.
SDM of Bishalgarh Binay Bhushan Das assessed the situation and issued administrative orders to the relevant officials.