By TC News Desk
Agartala, 25th August 2024: The flood situation in Tripura, which began on August 19, is gradually improving. However, the disaster has severely impacted the state, with 1.17 lakh people displaced and over 20,000 houses damaged. The death toll has now risen to 26.
According to a statement from the Relief, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management Department, 525 relief camps have been set up across the state, currently sheltering over 1.17 lakh individuals. The continuous and heavy rainfall between August 19 and 24 caused a significant rise in water levels in the state’s rivers, particularly the Gomati River at Sonamura, which remains above the danger mark. While the rainfall has lessened in the last two days, the state recorded its highest rainfall of 42.5 mm in the past 24 hours in Bodhjungnagar, Agartala. Authorities, including the Chief Minister, are closely monitoring the situation.
In an All-Party Meeting, the Chief Minister discussed the ongoing crisis with leaders of various political parties, who pledged their full cooperation in managing the disaster.
Currently, three teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in rescue operations in three districts. Around 500 volunteers from Civil Defense and Aapda Mitra are also actively involved in relief efforts. Approximately 27,000 food packets have been distributed in Gomati and South Tripura Districts. The District Administration continues to provide essentials such as food, drinking water, and medical assistance in the relief camps.
The flood has claimed the lives of 26 people, while two have been injured and two remain missing. Preliminary assessments reveal widespread damage to infrastructure, including roads, buildings, power lines, embankments, and agricultural lands. A total of 20,289 homes have been affected, with 1,610 fully destroyed, 1,633 severely damaged, and 17,046 partially damaged. National Highway 08, which had been severely affected by landslides in the Atharamura Hills, is now operational for light vehicles.
On August 24, the State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority, chaired by the Chief Secretary, held a meeting to assess the damage and discuss immediate and long-term relief measures. Senior officials from various departments, including the Director General of Police and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, attended the meeting.
The state government remains committed to working closely with central agencies and local departments to minimize the disaster’s impact on citizens. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of heavy rainfall, with a red alert in South Tripura District and an orange alert in Dhalai and Gomati Districts. Citizens are urged to exercise caution.
