Over 650 people sheltered in relief camps as thunderstorms persist in several areas of Tripura

Latest reports suggest other parts of Agartala city, including Shakuntala Road, Orient Chowmuhani, RMS Chowmuhani, were also affected. Roads at Joynagar, Jirania, National Highway 8, were blocked due to a fallen tree owing to heavy rain on Saturday.

A partially submerged vehicle on a flooded road after heavy rainfall, in Agartala, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (PTI Photo)

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) report, light to moderate rain/thundershowers are expected to occur at many places over the districts of Tripura in the next 24 hours.

The department issued a warning of heavy rainfall, ranging from 7-11 cm, at one or two places in the North, Unakoti, and Dhalai districts of Tripura, accompanied by thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind speeds of 30-40 kmph at one or two places over the districts.

An SEOC release said Friday that 207 people from 57 families were shifted to four relief camps in Khowai and West Tripura districts. So far, one person has died at Jirania in the West Tripura district.

A female elephant also died at the Mungiakami Rural Development block in Khowai district.

The SEOC release stated that per the IMD report at 1 pm Saturday, the depression over Bangladesh moved north-northeastwards over Bangladesh about 110 km northwest of Dhaka (Bangladesh).

A man wades through a flooded road after heavy rainfall, in Agartala, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (PTI Photo)

It was likely to continue moving nearly north-northeastwards and weaken over the next 12 hours. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall and squally/gusty winds is very likely to occur, the release said.

It added that IMD had issued a red warning up to 8.30 am Saturday for the North Tripura and Unakoti districts and an orange warning for the other districts.

Several roads in the Longtharai valley of the Dhalai district, as well as in Jirania and Mohanpur in the West Tripura district, Jampuijala in the Sepahijala district, and Karbook, Silacherri, Gomati, and Sabroom in the South Tripura district, were blocked after trees fell during thunderstorms.

However, as per the latest reports, all major rivers in the state, including Gomati, Muhuri, and Feni, are flowing below the danger mark.

However, the river Howrah in Agartala – particularly under the Jawhar Bridge – was found to be flowing at 10.01 metres against the critical level of 10 metres.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha told reporters Friday, “I have already spoken to disaster management officials. I have asked them to keep a watch on all places in the state. Last time, we made arrangements for flood victims. If the situation deteriorates, we shall surely take more initiatives.” Saha held a review meeting attended by the chief secretary, the revenue secretary, and others regarding the rain situation.

The floods last year claimed 38 lives, apart from affecting over 17 lakh people, and caused 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.