Agartala, Aug 23: Minister for Agriculture Ratanlal Nath announced on Friday that the state is grappling with widespread destruction to its agricultural and power infrastructure due to recent torrential rains and flooding.

Speaking at a press briefing at the state Secretariat, Nath disclosed that nearly 68,826 hectares of farmland have been submerged, leading to estimated losses of Rs. 531.25 crore. This calamity has financially strained over 1.41 lakh farmers. Additionally, 1,05,101 hectares of Aman paddy fields remain inundated.

The horticulture sector has also been severely impacted, with 5,614 hectares either partly or entirely ruined, causing losses of Rs. 167.14 crore for over 27,000 farmers.

The power sector has suffered extensive damage, affecting 3,19,773 consumers. The floods have resulted in the collapse of 1,603 electricity poles, the damage of 501 transformers, and the destruction of 642 kilometers of power lines.

Two key substations, operating at 33 kV and 66 kV, have been obliterated, and breakdowns have occurred at nine locations along 33 kV power lines, with repairs completed at three sites so far. The power department faces an estimated loss of Rs. 9.02 crore.

To restore electricity, 111 teams, each consisting of 8-10 workers, are working tirelessly. However, access to many sites in the Gomati and South Tripura districts remains challenging due to ongoing waterlogging. In Agartala, 25 teams are working around the clock to reestablish the power grid in Circle-1 of the city.

Nath highlighted that the state has not experienced rainfall of this extent before, surpassing the excessive downpours of 1952, 1983, and 1993. He assured the public that every effort is being made to restore normalcy and assist those affected by this unprecedented flooding.