Agartala, June 15: Tripura Government has geared up it's preparations to control flood situation during monsoon. The monsoon has entered the state on June 6 last.

According to a government press release, a standard checklist has been provided to all districts for ensuring flood preparedness at the district levels.

“The State has total 176 boats including 120 motor boats, which are available at districts, sub-divisions, TSR battalions, Fire Services Training Centre (CTI) and other key agencies. Besides, motor boats are also available with NDRF teams,” the release said.

Besides, all the district magistrates have been asked to keep wooden boats ready at vulnerable locations for immediate response in case of any flood situation.

“Apart from boats, other 40 types of critical equipment are also available at different locations. Trained volunteers and officials have been identified for operating and maintaining those equipment. Two teams of NDRF are stationed in Agartala and Kumarghat for responding to any flood situation,” the release reads.

According to the press release, the IMD forecast shows that the South West monsoon seasonal rainfall (June-September) for North East region was likely to be less than 95 percent of long period average rainfall which is below the normal average.

“The seasonal pre-monsoon (March-May) rainfall received by the State was 61 percent below normal. During April 2021, the state received 85 percent below normal rainfall and during May, 2021, the average was 50 percent below the normal. However, for the month of June 2021, the probability of rainfall was likely to be above normal. Agartala is situated at 15mtr above the mean sea level. All the districts are prone to floods both normal as well as flash floods. About 40 percent of the geographical areas are vulnerable to floods and most of them are low lying,” the release said.

The North East Space Application Centre (NESAC), according to the release, has developed a Flood Early Warning System for Dhalai, Gomti, Manu, Haora and Khowai rivers to provide early flood warnings during monsoon.

Besides, ERSS Control Room (112) is also functioning for any emergency response and coordination. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) is functioning in IT Bhawan for providing real time water inundation and flood water drainage in major locations of Agartala city. (Representative Image)