Incessant rainfall since Monday has wreaked havoc in Tripura, triggering widespread flood and landslides, leading to the death of 10 people and forcing around 34,100 to take shelter in relief camps, prompting the state administration to seek central assistance to tide over the crisis that has impacted the state’s eight districts.
Seven persons had died till yesterday but the toll rose to 10 on Wednesday while two persons are missing. Over 1,056 houses have been damaged. Many roads have been badly damaged and there has been widespread landslides.
All major rivers in the state are flowing above danger level, including Gomati, the water level of which has “crossed the extreme danger level”. The administration is working tirelessly to evacuate affected individuals to safe zones, an official said, adding 346 relief camps have been set up for the flood-hit.
Agartala resident Nitu Dey said it has been raining since Monday, which had affected three-four districts initially, but the intensity picked up on Tuesday afternoon affecting the entire state.
“The situation is bad in Gomati, South Tripura and Sepahijala districts,” Dey told
The Telegraph.
Photographs and videos of the deluge and rescue operations flooding the social media captures the severity of the situation.
Tripura chief minister Manik Saha, who had to travel to his office from his residence in a rubber boat, spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the “current situation arising out of severe flood situation”.
The chief minister also “requested him to despatch additional NDRF teams to support response efforts.” Shah has assured all possible support during this crisis, he said.
Four NDRF teams are being despatched to the state, a source said.
The Army in a statement on Wednesday said that that incessant rains have been witnessed in Tripura for over 72 hours, resulting in inundation of large areas of the state. Assam Rifles columns are working in close coordination with civil administration to rescue civilians stranded due to floods.
“Responding to request by civil administration, Assam Rifles immediately deployed two columns for flood relief operations on the night of August 20 in the areas of East Kanchanbari, Kumarghat, Unakoti district and Karbook and Amarpur of Gomati district. Six rivers namely Haora, Karki, Dhalai, Manu, Muhuri and Gomti rivers are flowing above the danger mark. Heavy rains were witnessed at the upper catchment areas as well,” the statement said.
Manik Shah told media that the “situation is a disaster, a calamity” and he had never witnessed such a rainfall, about 375mm in some places and 180-250mm in others.
“It is unprecedented but we all are working together to tide over the crisis. Relief measures are being prioritized by the administration,” Saha said.
Tipra Motha Party leader Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said that the situation is “grim” across Tripura.
“We have cancelled all programmes till the situation does not improve. I have requested the state government to include the TTAADC and its zonal and sub-zonal in its effort to help the affected people.”
Debbarma further said, “Maximum damaged areas are in ADC areas so we must be given adequate responsibility and some funds to help the people there.”
Tipra Motha Party is part of the ruling coalition government in the state headed by the BJP.
