As the cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ and heavy rainfall lashed major parts of Tripura, worsening the flood situation in several places, even as the MET department forecast more downpour in the state over the next few days.

The Deep Depression (remnant of Cyclonic Storm “Remal”) weakened into a Depression over east Bangladesh. The cyclonic storm 'Remal' made the landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal around 11:30 PM on Sunday and positioned near Jashore in Bangladesh which is about 185 km South West of Agartala and moving north- northeast wards and gradually weakening into a Deep Depression by evening of Monday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Due to impact of the cyclonic storm, Tripura has received Maximum rainfall recorded in the districts from the morning of the 27th at 08:30 AM to the morning of the 28th at 08:30 AM, in which the West Tripura district -received 229.0 mm rainfall,  Sepahijala district - 187.2 mm, Khowai district- 199.0 mm, Gomati district - 198.2 mm, South district - 168.0 mm, North district- 242.0 mm, Unakoti district- 252.4 mm and Dhalai district  received  248.3 mm in past 24 hours.

Official sources said that there is substantial damage to properties, there are no reports of loss of life from any district except uprooting of trees, electric pillars and transmission lines and blockade of roads in few places. The Disaster Management teams, SDRF, trained ‘Aapda Mitra’ and Civil Defence Volunteers, NDRF were pressed into action for clearing roads and restoring the essential services. In most of the places roads have been cleared within a few hours. Damage assessment in many places is going on.

Weather forecast issued by IMD for Monday and Tuesday, indicates Red and Orange Alerts. There is a likelihood of thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and heavy rainfall in isolated places across the state.

After the heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning struck the entire state since Monday morning, the capital city of Agartala submerged into flood water and all low-lying areas of the city totally submerged into rain water disturbing normal life across the city since Monday evening. Now, the situation in major parts of the Agartala city remained normal, but all low lying areas near the river Howrah have submerged into flood water and hundreds of families were sheltered in relief camps.

Several families in adjoining areas of river Howrah were evacuated by the administration and volunteers from flooded area of Pratapgarh, Aralia, Jogendranagar, Kathashewla, Chandrapur, Baldakhal areas of the eastern part of the city since Monday midnight and were sheltered in relief camps including some makeshift camps.

It may be recalled here that considering the heavy rainfall across the state, the Revenue department of the state government directed all concerned departments and agencies preparedness measures in view of the extreme weather prediction for heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state.

The flood water pumps in inundated areas start immediately to extract flood water, alert NDRF and all disaster response forces including SDRF, TSR to press into action and some teams with all equipment including boats are also now pressed into rescue operations in adjoining areas to river Howrah.

Sources said that government agencies have already started evacuating people from flood affected and low-lying areas to the safe shelters and started distribution of relief items.

According to the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), the state administration and AMC have landed many boats on the city roads to help the people on Monday night.

Meanwhile, at present (Tuesday afternoon) the water in the Howrah River is flowing near the danger level and all low-lying areas near the river have already submerged into flood water.