The overall flood situation in Tripura further improved on Tuesday with the water receding in many places even as 72,000 people are still sheltered in 492 relief camps in various districts. But, till today, the water level of Gomati river at Sonamura is still above the critical level.

So far, 31 persons have lost their lives, two injured and still one person is reported to be missing.

Giving details of the flood situation across Tripura, three secretaries including Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey, Health and PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte and Power Secretary Abhishek Sing addressing a press conference at Agartala press club said that after extremely heavy and continuous rainfall occurred during the period 19-23 August 2024, which caused unprecedented floods in the state.

There is comparatively less rainfall since August 24th and as on date, 492 relief camps are operational by District Administration, providing shelter to over 72,000 persons in the state.

They said that the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday evening chaired a high level review meeting at Secretariat to expedite the relief operations in all flood affected areas, said Brijesh Pandey.

The District Administration is continuing to provide necessary relief, including food, drinking water, medical help etc. in relief camps. Clothes have also been distributed to about 300 needy people in Amarpur and Karbook Sub- divisions.

As on today, 6 teams of State Disaster Response Force (TSR)) and 5 team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working in relief operations in Gomati and Sepahijala districts, said Pandey and added that about 500 volunteers of Civil Defense and ‘Aapda Mitra’ are continued to be engaged in relief operations.

The situation is being closely monitored at the highest level. Today morning the Secretary, RR & DM reviewed the flood situation with all the District Magistrate & Collectors. Subsequently, the Chief Minister also held a review meeting on the flood situation on Tuesday evening.

He said that the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Tripura, PCCF, Secretary, RR & DM and Secretaries of all departments and Directors of Key departments were present in the meeting. The main issues discussed in the meeting included providing drinking water to the entire flood affected areas, health and hygiene, sanitation, opening of Educational Institutions and Anganwadi Centres and restoration of power lines.

The meeting has also decided for comprehensive damage assessment by all departments, making provision for a single window system for issuing duplicate certificates like PRTC, Board Exam, SC & ST Welfare Certificate damaged in flood.

Immediate release of ex-gratia compensation to the family of the deceased, injured people, immediate assessment and release of compensation to damaged houses etc.

They said, in the meeting, the Chief Minister has directed to provide instant relief and expedite the immediate restoration activities with priority. He also emphasized on ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in relief camps and advised the Health Department to keep sufficient stock of bleaching powder, halogen tablets. If needed, the procurement may be done from the neighbouring states.

A total 977 out of 3273 Drinking Water Schemes have been restored so far. Remaining Drinking Water sources are also being repaired urgently. It is being ensured that all drinking water sources are tested for quality and  conforming to BIS standards(quality).DMs have been directed to provide safe drinking water through water tankers as well whenever required.

To tackle the fallout of floods on health aspects, doctors have visited relief camps 1207 times and treated 35,993 persons, carried out 1799 health camps for 42,800 persons. For carrying out disinfection and anti diarrhea measures, health department will procure 2000 bags of bleaching powder, 2 lakhs ORS packets, large quantities of halogen tablets, zinc tablets and medicines for fever, lotions etc

On the state government’s request, the government of India is sending an advanced Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) led by B. C. Joshi,  Joint Secretary (Foreigners Division), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. The IMCT consists of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance), Jal  Shakti (Department of Water Resources),  Rural Development and  Road Transport and Highways. The team will reach Tripura on August 28th for on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the wake of devastating floods in Tripura.

A committee headed by   Prashant Badal Negi, IAS, Director, and Tourism Department along with officers from other departments has been constituted to interact with the NGOs for collection and re-distribution of relief materials received on donation from different organizations.

The Relief Rehabilitation Disaster Management department of the state government has released Rs.69 crores to eight districts and Rs.5 crore each to the Agriculture and Power Department. Thus total release of funds is Rs.79 crore.