Agartala, Aug 20: Continuous heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding and landslides across various places in Tripura, resulting in widespread destruction and deaths of seven people. 

Several rivers have breached the danger mark, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Numerous people have been displaced and are now taking refuge in relief camps. 

The situation has been further exacerbated by landslides, which have claimed several lives and disrupted road connectivity in many areas. 

Rescue operations are underway, with authorities and NDRF teams working tirelessly to provide aid.

A catastrophic landslide in Debipur ADC village, Santirbazar sub-division, claimed the lives of three members of a single family. The deceased persons are- Trishankar Chakma, his wife Ranjani Chakma, and their 12-year-old daughter, Binita Chakma.

In a tragic incident on Tuesday morning, a 62-year-old woman named Mayi Riang died when a landslide engulfed a toilet near her home in Gurinang Para Bru Resettlement Center, Korbook sub-division.

The incident occurred around 5 am when the victim was using the toilet. Local residents, after a grueling four-and-a-half-hour effort, managed to recover her body from under the debris. Administrative officials promptly rushed to the scene.

In another heartbreaking incident, a teenage boy named Biresh Debbarma lost his life when a landslide buried his home in Champai Lakhai Bazar, under Mungiakami police station.

In Teliamura's Dashami Ghat, an elderly man was found severely injured after being trapped in his flooded home. Firefighters rescued him and sent him to the sub-divisional hospital for treatment.

The situation remains critical, with major roads like the Saika Hill road between Khowai and Kailashahar and the National Highway-8 at Atharamura hill range being rendered impassable due to landslides. In Teliamura, fallen trees have blocked the national highway, adding to the region's woes.

Agartala is also struggling as many areas, including Baldakhal, Chandrapur, and Srilanka Basti, are submerged. The administration, along with NDRF teams, is actively involved in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the condition of the Chittamara road in Belonia has deteriorated, posing further challenges to relief efforts.

Official Report on Floods Situation in Tripura as on 20.08.2024 at 03.00 pm:

Due to incessant rainfall over the past 48 hours (19/08/2024 to 20/08/2024), water levels of rivers in Tripura have inflated significantly leading to flooding in many areas. Significantly high level of rainfall occurred in Bagafa (375.8mm) and Belonia (324.4mm) South Tripura and Amarpur (307.1mm) of Gomati in last 24 hours . As a result South Tripura & Gomati have been badly affected. Four rivers namely Howrah, Dhalai, Muhuri and Khowai are flowing above the danger level as at 4.00 pm.

Unfortunately, 7 persons (Khowai-1, South Tripura-5 & Gomati-1) have reportedly lost their lives due to landslides/drowning. Further, 2 person are missing, one each in Gomati & Khowai District.

The District Administration have 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 & 39 relief camp in Khowai  District have been opened. Rest camps are in remaining four districts.

The District & Sub-Divisional administrations are providing necessary facilities, including food, drinking water, medical etc. in these relief camps. The situation is been closely monitored by respective DM’s at district level and Secretary (RR & DM) and the Chief Secretary at a state level. The SDM’s & officers from line departments namely RD( BDOs), Water resources, Power, PWD( R & B) , Forest , Police, Fire Service & Paramilitary Forces are working round the clock to mitigate the impact of floods & provide relief & rescue operations to affected families.

The Heavy & 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 regular basis. There are reports of damages to houses & livestocks. The field assessments for the same has started & will be completed soon. Thereafter relief will be provided to affected families.

More than 200 teams of SDRF(TSR), NDRF, Civil Defence Volunteers, Aapda Mitra 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 active monsoon there will be light to moderate rainfall over all districts of Tripura for next two days. IMD has issued red alert for South Tripura and 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.