Within four days flooded situation in the ‘Smart City’ Agartala due to incessant Monsoon rain, which lashed the city for over half an hour, again on Tuesday evening the heavy downpour for hours brought widespread waterlogging across the state capital, disrupting normal life and exposing the city's poor drainage infrastructure.

The incessant rain on Tuesday evening  have virtually exposed the drainage system and smart city’s flood water pumping across Agartala and majority of  low-lying localities in Agartala were partially or completely submerged as rainwater accumulated on roads, severely affecting traffic movement. Major roads witnessed waterlogging, leading to traffic congestion in several parts of the city and causing inconvenience to commuters.

The rain, accompanied by lightning and moderate winds, intensified on Friday(July 3) evening, inundating several residential and commercial areas. Although monsoon showers have been occurring intermittently across Tripura since the beginning of July, Friday's downpour had a significant impact on normal life in the state capital.

But, within four days of the flood like situation, again on Tuesday (July 7) evening, the residents of Agartala city were marooned in the flood water due to poor drainage systems and massive construction works for the smart city’s underground electric lines.

Residents alleged that the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) failed to ensure adequate preparedness by deploying sufficient pumps to drain out rainwater promptly. The delay in water clearance, coupled with the city's inadequate sewerage system, resulted in severe traffic snarls across Agartala. However, as the evening progressed, floodwaters gradually started rising and the suffering of people became worse as vehicular movements stalled in many parts of the city and many cars had also struck in the flood water.

Even the Tuesday’s evening incessant rain flooded several new areas of the city, which has exposed the so called massive preparation of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) to cope up with any possible flooding in the Monsoon season.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across Tripura over the next seven days, with heavy rainfall likely at isolated places during the first four days.

 According to the Tuesday evening weather bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Agartala, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely to occur at most places across all districts of the state on July 7 and 8. Heavy rainfall measuring 7-11 cm is expected at one or two places, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

On July 9, rainfall activity is expected to continue at many places across the state. The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Khowai, West Tripura, Gomati, Sepahijala, and South Tripura districts, while thunderstorms with lightning are also likely.

For July 10, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places, with heavy rainfall expected over Gomati, Sepahijala, and South Tripura districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at isolated places across the state.

From July 11 to July 14, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places across Tripura. While no heavy rainfall warning has been issued beyond July 10, isolated thunderstorms with lightning may occur on July 11.

The weather office has advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, unplug electrical appliances during lightning, and stay away from water bodies. It also warned that heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding in low-lying areas, temporary road closures, traffic disruptions, waterlogging, minor landslides, and damage to crops, power infrastructure, and vulnerable structures.

The IMD added that both maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain near normal across the state over the next three to four days.