22 die as heavy rain lashes Tripura, thousands take shelter at relief camps

 

22 die as heavy rain lashes Tripura, thousands take

 shelter at relief camps

Aug 23, 2024 12:24 AM

By  M.k.karikalsopzhan   Blog  Reporter

At least 22 people have lost their lives, and two others remain missing in Tripura following days of relentless rainfall and subsequent landslides, according to officials.

NDRF personnel have been actively involved in evacuating residents from flood-stricken areas on the outskirts of Agartala, Tripura, as seen on Thursday. (PTI Photo)(HT_PRINT)

As a result of the severe weather, approximately 65,400 individuals have sought refuge in 450 relief camps across the state, with their homes sustaining significant damage.

Chief Minister Manik Saha shared in a Facebook post that ten people were buried under debris after landslides struck the Ashwani Tripura Para and Debipur regions in Santirbazar. He expressed his condolences, stating, "I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. This is an irreplaceable loss. The state government has announced a financial assistance of ₹4 lakh to each victim's family."

Earlier, Brijesh Pandey, Secretary of the Revenue Department, confirmed that 12 people had died due to the heavy rainfall in the northeastern state. "So far, 12 lives have been lost, and two persons are still missing. Preliminary reports indicate widespread damage to infrastructure, agricultural crops, homes, and livestock. The exact extent of the damage will be determined after a field assessment," Pandey stated during a press conference.

The northeastern state has been severely impacted, with around 17 lakh people affected. Landslides have been reported at 2,032 locations, of which 1,789 have been cleared, while restoration efforts continue at the remaining sites.

Pandey also noted that road erosion has occurred at 1,952 locations. The central government has provided two helicopters for airlifting stranded individuals in the Gomati and South Tripura districts.

The Assam Rifles reported that over 750 people have been evacuated across the state. "Riflewomen of the Assam Rifles are leading the relief and rescue operations in Tripura. Four rescue columns have been deployed in various parts of the state, including East Kanchanbari, Kumarghat in Unakoti district, Amarpur in Gomati district, Bishalgarh, Sepahijala, and Tripura West," the release stated.

The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across many parts of Tripura on Thursday and Friday. Due to the ongoing severe weather, all educational institutions in the state will remain closed on Friday, as per an official order.

An official from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) reported that 34,100 individuals from 6,620 families have sought refuge in 346 relief camps across eight districts of Tripura, following heavy rainfall that triggered severe flooding in Agartala, the state's capital. The floods, caused by the overflowing Gomati River, have claimed the lives of at least 10 people and displaced over 34,000 residents, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

In response to the disaster, the state government has declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Thursday and Friday.

The state revenue department confirmed that ten fatalities resulted from drowning and landslides, with two individuals sustaining injuries.

Several areas, including Dharmanagar in North Tripura, Kailashahar, Kumarghat in Unakoti district, Kamalpur, Longtraivalley, and Gandacherra in Dhalai district, Bishalgarh, and Sonamura in Sepahijala district, Teliamura, and Khowai in Khowai district, as well as Udaipur, Karbook, and Amarpur in Gomati district, and Sabroom, Belonia, and Santirbazaar in South Tripura district, along with large sections of Sadar and Jirania subdivisions in West Tripura district, including Agartala city, experienced extensive waterlogging and flood-like conditions. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate people from high-risk areas as water levels in most rivers across the state continue to rise, surpassing danger, critical, or expected flood levels in various locations.

In response to concerns about the floodgates of the Dumboor dam, part of the Gumti hydro-electric power project in Gomati district, being opened, Tripura's power minister, Ratan Lal Nath, clarified that no gates had been deliberately opened. Instead, the reservoir's holding capacity of 94 meters was exceeded, causing water to overflow naturally.

"There is no reason to panic as the administration is fully aware of the situation," the minister assured in a social media post.

Landslides have also been reported in numerous locations, including on national highways, where fallen trees caused by the heavy rains have obstructed roads.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited the flood-affected regions to assess the situation. He stated that officials across different districts are actively working to support those impacted by the floods and urged social organisations to assist in this time of crisis.

"I urge all those who may be affected by the flooding to please cooperate with the authorities and move to the shelter houses immediately. Your safety is our top priority," CM Saha wrote on his official X account.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his condolences over the loss of life and emphasised the need for immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts by both the central and state governments. "Deeply concerned about the flood situation caused by heavy rainfall in Tripura where many people have lost their lives, and about 5,600 families have sought refuge in relief camps," he stated.