By TC News Desk
Agartala: October 23. In light of low pressure and deep depression in Bay of Bengal, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma held an emergency review meeting and taken a series precautionary of steps.
Addressing a press conference Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury who was also present in the meeting said that due to low pressure and deep depression in Bay of Bengal, Tripura is likely to be affected with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with squally wind 50-60KMPH gusting upto 70KMPH at isolated places on 24 October and heavy to very heavy rainfall squally wind with 40 50KMPH gusting upto 60KMPH on 25 October 2022. Maximum rainfall is expected upto 200mm in 24hours.
Later, Special Secretary of Revenue Puneet Agarwal said considering the seriousness a series of steps were taken.“State Government has already been alerted to all District Administrations for taking precautionary measures on receipt of its first warning on 21 October. Special review meeting held with all DM on 23 October”, he said.He also informed that Chief Minister reviewed the situation with all line departments, army and central paramilitary forces to alert and sought their active support. NDRF has been requested to depute additional 5 teams for deployment in the State immediately. It is expected to deploy them in Kumarghat, Teliamura, Agartala, Udaipur and Santirbazar.
The state government has also regulated movement of vehicles throughout the State on 24 and 25 October.“Leaves of all officials have been cancelled for next one week. Schools and educational institutions will be closed for three days from 24 to 26 October. All line Departments should take immediate steps for preparedness and immediate response. Relief camps are advised to be notified, relief materials to be arranged in advance”, he informed.The state government has also arranged of miking of the situation for preparedness of the people which would be done by ICA and local administrations, advising them to avoid moving out on 24 and 25 October and situation will be assessed regularly, NDRF, SDRF, TSR, Fire & ES /Trained Volunteers and QRTS to be alerted immediately when required and to respond at identified locations.
In the meeting the CM has directed to keep ready the equipment like boats, life jackets and other flood rescue items. “The CM has also directed to monitoring of river flows, embankments and catchment areas and directed take immediate preventive and preparedness measures. Evacuate people from low lying areas to the safe shelters and start providing relief if needed”, he said.“Fishermen should be alerted not to go for fishing to lakes, rivers or any water bodies. Need based response to be taken up immediately as per disaster management plan. To ensure proper precautionary measures in regard to Diwali Mela at Matabari Temple on 24-25 October, all key line departments have been advised to visit the Matabari temple and reconfirm the arrangements”, the official informed.
The government has also increased health teams and safety measures to be ensured at exit points for Diwali Mela at Matabari and also cancelled special trains for 24 and 25 to ensure avoid crowding at Mela.
