Large tracts of land submerged, over 7,000 shifted to relief camps as heavy showers, thunderstorms continue to pound Tripura

Speaking to this publication, a senior official of the Revenue Department said the heavy spells of rain damaged several houses and led to the uprooting of trees. A total of 7,109 people from 1,623 families have been shifted to 34 relief camps set up by the government.

All roads blocked by uprooted trees were cleared by the Forest Department, local administration, and disaster management volunteers within a short time, the official informed.

Pratapgarh, Aralia, Radhanagar, Pragati Road, Jogendranagar, Masterpara, Sukanta Palli, Noagaon, Bitterban slum, and many other areas in Agartala and adjoining areas of Sadar sub-division in West Tripura district were badly hit as River Haora crossed the danger level at 11 am on Sunday.

As per disaster management authorities, the danger level for River Haora is 10.50 metre and the critical danger level is 11 metre, whereas the river was flowing at 10.92 metre on Sunday morning.

River Juri and River Kakri in Dharmanagar of North Tripura district also crossed the critical level on Sunday morning. All other rivers in the state were found flowing below the expected flood level.

Images and videos of cars and houses submerged in flood water have gone viral on social media. However, Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder assured citizens that the municipal authorities were working around the clock to drain out flood water and urged them not to get anxious and follow government instructions.

The weather forecast on Sunday said light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers are very likely in all districts of Tripura in the next 24 hours. Thunderstorms with winds reaching 40-50 Kmph are also expected at a few places.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, who is visiting flood-affected areas on Sunday, posted on social media, “Incessant rains for the past two days have flooded various parts of West Tripura district. About 1,300 families have taken shelter in government shelter houses. The government is keeping a close watch on the flooded areas. District administration has deployed NDRF/SDRF, Civil Volunteers, and other agencies in various areas. Water has accumulated in different areas of Agartala, water pumps are also running. People in flooded areas are also requested to follow government instructions and take shelter in safe places.”

The floods last year cost 38 lives apart from affecting over 17 lakh people, and causing estimated damages worth Rs 15,000 crore.

Over two lakh people were shifted to 889 relief camps across the state as flood waters submerged large tracts in all eight districts.