Tripura is reeling from the aftermath of unprecedented floods that have caused extensive damage to its infrastructure, apart from human life and property.
A detailed report released by the Public Works Department (PWD) reveals the staggering extent of the destruction and the herculean efforts being undertaken to restore normalcy. The report highlights the severe impact on roads, bridges, and water resources across the state, painting a grim picture of the challenges ahead.
Widespread Destruction of Roads and Bridges
The PWD report outlined that a total of 4,658.86 kilometers of roads across the State have been affected by the recent natural calamities. Landslides have been a major issue, with 4,644 incidents reported across the state. Besides, erosion has damaged roads, bridges, and culverts in 3,739 locations, further compounding the crisis.
Restoration work has been initiated on a war footing, with 1,850 laborers, helpers, and drivers from 228 agencies working under the direct supervision of 200 field engineers. The restoration efforts have so far resulted in the removal of landslides from 4,087 sites (out of 4644), utilizing 321 units of heavy machinery, including JCBs, dozers, electric chain saws, dumpers, and tippers. Temporary restoration work has been completed at 1,048 sites, particularly those affected by erosion, with approximately 88% of the landslide-affected areas cleared.
The financial impact of this destruction is overwhelming. The PWD estimates the total damage to roads, bridges, and culverts at Rs 1,825 crore, which is nearly six times the department’s annual maintenance budget. This massive financial burden poses a significant challenge for the state government, which is expected to seek additional support from the central government to meet the restoration costs.
Severe Damage to Water Resources
The devastation has not been limited to roads and bridges; Tripura’s water resources have also suffered significant damage. The state, which is traversed by eleven major rivers, has seen record-high water levels in several rivers, exacerbating the flood situation. The Gomati River reached a new high of 22.60 meters on August 22, 2024, surpassing its previous record of 22.52 meters set in 1983. Similarly, the Feni River peaked at 19.75 meters, and the Haora River reached 11.33 meters, both exceeding previous records.
The report highlights that 97.34 kilometers of embankments have been damaged due to leakage, side cuts, erosion, and breaches. In response, over 3.5 lakh sandbags have been deployed, and 12,000 laborers have been working round-the-clock since August 21 to prevent further damage.
As Tripura continues to grapple with the aftereffects of this disaster, the focus will remain on restoring critical infrastructure.
(Tripura, Tripura News)
