As the low pressure and cyclonic circulation in North Bangladesh, which caused  incessant heavy to very heavy  rainfall and Monsoon deluge for the past four days since Monday created havoc and  flooded major parts of Tripura, remained grim on Thursday and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continued its ‘red’ alert for all eight districts.

More NDRF teams have arrived in the state on Thursday and they have been deployed and in addition two MI-17 helicopters have also pressed for relief and rescue operations..

Till Thursday, 20 deaths, including seven of family of Santirbazar killed by landslides and a 12-year-old girl and a woman, and two persons missing were reported from South Tripura, Gomati, and Khowai districts.

A Disaster Management Department official said that seven more fresh casualties due to the flood were reported from south Tripura and Gomati districts, while around 65,500 people are taking shelter in 450 relief camps in all eight districts.

He said that 17 lakh people were affected in the entire state, which witnessed the Monsoon flood in such a catastrophic manner for the first time in several decades.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, who is supervising the flood situation and disaster management, spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the second day on Thursday and apprised him of the prevailing scenario.

While, addressing a press conference Secretary of Revenue department, Brijesh Pandey accompanied by   Secretaries Kiran Gitte, Abhishek Singh and director of IMD, Dr Partha Roy at Civil Secretariat in Agartala said that due to very heavy and continuous rainfall over the past 4 days since 19th August 2024, the water level of rivers in Tripura has remained inflated significantly.

Tripura received one of the highest levels of rainfall in last 24 hours on 22.08.2024 notably in South Tripura District (Bogafa: 493.6 mm), Sepahijala District (Sonamura: 293.4 mm), West Tripura District (Agartala: 233 mm) and Gomati District (Udaipur: 155 mm). As a result, the whole state is affected by floods very badly. Particularly Gomati, South Tripura, Unakoti and West Tripura Districts have been severely affected, said Pandey.

“This is an unprecedented situation and is being closely monitored at the highest level and Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has again taken stock of the situation and reviewed the relief and response measures on Thursday afternoon wherein the Chief Secretary, Secretary, (Disaster Management) and other senior officers were present in the meeting,” said Pandey. The state machinery is working very hard in close coordination with various state departments and central agencies to mitigate impact of disaster on citizens.MHA, NDMA, Air Force and NDRF have been supporting State’s efforts.

He said that the water Level of rivers in six locations across the state is above the danger mark in Dhalai, Khowai, South Tripura, West Tripura, North Tripura and Unakoti Districts.

He said a total 450 relief camps have been opened by the District administration since 19th August, 2024 for providing shelter to over 65,400 persons in the state. The population affected in the state is estimated to be over 17 lakh. The district administrations have been providing necessary emergency relief, including food, drinking water, medical help etc. in relief camps. Officers from various departments including Rural Development, Water Resources, Power, PWD(Roads & Buildings), Forest, Police, Fire Service & Paramilitary Forces have been working round the clock for last four days to mitigate the impact of floods & provide relief & rescue operations to affected families.

Pandey said that till date, 12 (twelve) persons have lost lives and 2 (two) persons are reportedly missing. Preliminary reports suggest extensive damages to physical infrastructure and agriculture crops along with damages to houses, livestock. The actual figures will be known only after the field assessment is completed. The department wise update is as follows:

Power Secretary Abhishek Singh said that a total 844 poles were broken and 151 transformers, 310 Km conductors, 2 sub-stations were damaged.

Landslides occurred in 2032 locations, out of which 1789 locations have been cleared and the restoration work is going on in full swing. Erosion to roads occurred at 1952 locations, out of which till date 579 locations have been restored.  Total 153 number of Dozers are deployed across the State to clear debris. Around 200 field Engineers are working round the clock to combat the situation.  The frequent and intense rains are continuously causing disruption to restoration work.

Bus service from Chandrapur, Nagerjala and Radhanagar has been deferred. All railway service from Agartala has been deferred.

There have been extensive crop damages, especially early and late Kharif crops due to the flood in all eight districts of the state. As per preliminary estimates, around 5000 ha Vegetables & 1.20 lakh ha paddy land area is still under submerged condition causing full and partial damages to the crops.

Secretary Kiran Gitte said that all schools have been closed until further order. Telecommunication has been severely disrupted in Gomati, South Tripura and other flood affected areas. All Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)have been instructed by the director of Telecommunication to activate the Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) facility in Tripura State with immediate effect from 27th August, 2024.

A total of 26 teams of SDRF(State Disaster Response Force (TSR)) from all 14 Battalions, and 4 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are in action for rescue purposes. In addition, four NDRF teams (120 personnel) airlifted from Arunachal have landed in Agartala on Thursday and are being deployed to Gomati, West Tripura and Sepahijala districts. Previous 4 teams consisting of about 100 members have been engaged in South Tripura, West Tripura, Unakoti and Khowai districts. More than 2000 volunteers of Civil Defense and Aapda Mitra have been engaged in relief and rescue operations.

They said that on Tripura government’s request, the government of India  has provided 2 helicopters for airlifting of stranded people in Gomati and South Tripura districts. Helicopters have conducted recce for rescue operations. It is being used for airdropping one NDRF team and food items to Amarpur.

The State Government has strengthened the hands of District Administration Gomati and given Hamendra Raval, Special Secretary, Education etc. Departments, the charge of Special DM and Collector, Gomati. Services of five TCS Officers are placed under the Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs for looking after distribution of relief materials. In addition, Two senior TCS Officers are attached with the Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs for helping in proper distribution of relief materials to affected persons.

As per the IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) forecast, heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue to occur for today and tomorrow in many parts of the State. IMD has issued a red alert for the whole of State for Thursday  and in four districts for Friday.

The State Government has launched extensive rescue and relief operations. However, common people are requested not to panic but remain calm and cooperate with the State and District Administrations. We urge them to evacuate to safe places as per the advice of the administration. We are committed to save lives and protect people in this disaster situation.

Home Minister Shah said in a post on the X, “Spoke with CM Tripura, Dr Manik Saha Ji, and took stock of the flood situation in the state. The Centre is rushing teams of NDRF, apart from boats and helicopters, to the state to assist the local government in relief and rescue operations.

Assured of all possible assistance from the Centre as and when required. The Modi government firmly stands with our sisters and brothers in Tripura during this hour of crisis.”

Later the Chief Minister expressing his gratitude to the Home Minister said that HM Shah informed him that 11 NDRF teams would be sent to Tripura from different locations in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

He said arrangements would also be made for choppers to airlift the stranded people in the flood-affected areas.

The Central government has provided two helicopters for airlifting of stranded people in Gomati and South Tripura districts.