Death toll owing to torrential rain-triggered landslides/drowning mounted to seven. According to a government press release, a total of seven persons have reportedly lost their lives due to landslides/drowning. Among them, five deaths were reported from South Tripura while one each from the Khowai and Gomati Districts. Further, two persons are missing, one each in Gomati and Khowai District.
Due to incessant rainfall over the past 48 hours (August 19-20), water levels of rivers in Tripura have inflated significantly, leading to flooding in many areas. Significantly high levels of rainfall occurred in Bagafa (375.8mm) and Belonia (324.4mm) under the South Tripura and Amarpur (307.1mm) of Gomati District in last 24 hours. As a result, South Tripura and Gomati have been badly affected. Four rivers namely Haora, Dhalai, Muhuri and Khowai are flowing above the danger level at 4.00 pm.
Chief Minister of Tripura Dr Manik Saha has been taking stock of the flood situation on regular basis from New Delhi. He will also attend a review meeting on the flood situation on Tuesday on his return from New Delhi.
The District Administration has opened a total of 183 relief camps for providing shelter to 5607 affected families in the State. Out which, 24 relief camps are in West Tripura District, 68 relief camps in Gomati District, 30 relief camps in South Tripura District and 39 relief camp in Khowai District have been opened. Rest camps are in remaining four districts.
The District and Sub-Divisional administrations is providing necessary facilities, including food, drinking water, medical etc. in these relief camps. The situation is being closely monitored by respective DM’s at district level and Secretary (RR & DM) and the Chief Secretary at a state level. The SDM’s and officers from line departments namely RD( BDOs), Water resources, Power, PWD (R & B) , Forest , Police, Fire Service and Paramilitary Forces are working round the clock to mitigate the impact of floods and provide relief and rescue operations to affected families.
The Heavy and extreme rainfall has triggered landslides in many areas. Road blockades due to fallen trees have happened in many places. The same are being removed on a regular basis. There are reports of damage to houses and livestock. The field assessments for the same have started and will be completed soon. Thereafter, relief will be provided to affected families.
More than 200 teams of SDRF (TSR), NDRF, Civil Defence Volunteers, AapdaMitra Volunteers, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest, TSECL, PWD(WR), PWD(R&B), Agriculture and other line departments are deployed in the field and are carrying out relief and rescue operations as per the local needs and flood situation.
As per the IMD forecast, due to the active monsoon, there will be light to moderate rainfall over all districts of Tripura for the next two days. IMD has issued a red alert for South Tripura and an orange alert for the rest of the state.
The flood situation is difficult due to continuous rains but is under control. Close watch is being kept and appropriate measures are being taken by the district administration. We advise people not to worry but to be patient as the Administration will overcome the situation with active support from all.