Agartala, Aug 21: Tripura is grappling with a severe flood crisis following three days of relentless and unprecedented rainfall, leading to the displacement of over 45,793 people and 10 fatalities.
The downpour, which began on August 19 and continued through Tuesday, has caused the water levels in several rivers across the state to rise drastically, resulting in widespread flooding.
As per official reports, 45,793 people from 11,259 families have been forced to evacuate their homes, seeking refuge in 435 relief camps set up across the state.
The worst-hit areas include South Tripura, Gomati, and Unakoti districts, where the rainfall has been exceptionally heavy. According to Met sources, 182 mm in West Tripura, 157.60 mm in Khowai, and 153.10 mm in Gomati have been recorded in the last 24 hours.
The floodwaters have surged past the danger mark in several rivers, including those flowing through Dhalai, Khowai, South Tripura, West Tripura, North Tripura, and Unakoti districts.
In response to this natural disaster, the state government, in close collaboration with multiple departments, has launched extensive relief and rescue operations.
The District Administrations are providing essential services, including food, drinking water, and medical aid to those in the relief camps. Officers from various departments, such as Rural Development, Water Resources, Power, PWD, Police, Fire Service, and Paramilitary Forces, are working tirelessly to alleviate the situation.
The continuous rainfall has also triggered over 1,900 landslides across the state, leading to significant road blockades and damage to infrastructure. Efforts to clear the blocked roads and assess the damage to homes, livestock, and crops are on-going.
Earlier on the day, the Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha, has personally reached out to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to be deployed to the state.
In response, one NDRF team is scheduled to arrive in Unakoti District this evening, with four more teams being airlifted to the state tonight.
As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the heavy rainfall is expected to continue for another day, prompting the issuance of a red alert for the entire state. The government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow the administration’s advisories and relocate to shelter homes as needed.
The situation remains dire, but the state machinery is committed to mitigating the impact of this disaster and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, an official commented.
The IMD issues fresh rain alert for Tripura for the next two days.
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday inspected various flood-affected areas and relief camps to ensure that flood victims receive all necessary facilities in time.
Dr. Saha visited Baldakhal Area, as well as relief camps set up at Swami Dayalananda Vidyaniketan in Dhaleshwar, Ramthakur Higher Secondary Girls' School, and Swami Vivekananda School in Town Bardowali.
Speaking with reporters later, Dr. Saha said, “We can't even imagine such a situation in Tripura. There has been massive rainfall everywhere. We have not seen such rain before. This is a natural disaster. I also visited the relief camps to ensure that they are receiving all necessary facilities. Everyone is working hard. All government machinery, councilors, and even party workers are on the ground working around the clock.”
During the visit of relief camps, Dr Saha also interacted with the flood victims.
Dr. Saha also assessed the flood situation in Agartala through the Integrated Command & Control Centre at IT Bhavan, Agartala.