Agartala, Oct 23, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Highlight: Closure of schools/ educational institutions declared till Oct 26, Diwali special trains cancelled, Army/ Paramilitary forces put on alert, NDRF/ rescue teams stationed.

Agartala, Oct 23: The Tripura government has sounded a high alert as the IMD predicted a cyclone accompanied by heavy rainfall may hit the state on October 24 and 25.

Army, Para-military forces, disaster management teams and rescue authorities have been put on alert. In view of the IMD’s prediction, the state government has decided to keep all the schools and other educational institutions closed till October 26.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who chaired a high-level meeting in presence of Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, ICA Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Tribal welfare minister Rampada Jamatia, Chief Secretary J K Sinha, DGP Amitabh Ranjan to review the preparedness, has made an appeal to all to stay alert and not to panic.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister wrote, “My appeal to all people to stay alert & safe and not to panic. We are closely monitoring the situation on a real-time basis. All preparations have been put in place to deal with any eventuality. Everyone is requested to contact local administration in case of any emergency.”
The Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs briefed the media about the precautionary measures taken by the government. In the press conference held at the civil secretariat, he was accompanied by Principal Secretary of Revenue department Puneet Agarwal, Secretary of ICA department Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, State Project Officer Sharat Das and IMD’s state director N. Kulkarni were present in the press conference.
According to Chowdhury, all the District Magistrates, concerned departments have been asked to remain alert and prepared while the government has also decided to regulate the public movements. The vehicular movements are also going to be regulated on road. Besides, leaves of all officials have been cancelled for one week.
In Matabari, all concerned departments have been asked to be extra careful and recheck and reconfirm the arrangements and safety measures.
The IMD, Disaster management authorities and District Magistrates had series of discussions and Video conference on the impending situation and required arrangements– relating to evacuation, rescue, relief and meeting the emergencies.
Later a press note issued by the Revenue department said, ‘due to low pressure and deep depression in Bay of Bengal, Tripura is likely to be affected with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with squally wind 50-60KMPH gusting upto 70KMPH at isolated places on 24 October 2022 and heavy to very heavy rainfall squally wind with 40- 50KMPH gusting upto 60KMPH on 25 October 2022. Maximum rainfall is expected upto 200mm in 24hrs.
As per the press note, the precautionary measures taken by the government are- NDRF has been requested to depute additional 5 teams for deployment in the state immediately. It is expected to deploy them in Kumarghat, Teliamura, Agartala, Udaipur and Santirbazar. Relief camps are advised to be notified, relief materials to be arranged in advance. Miking of the situation for preparedness of the people should be done by ICA and local administrations, advising them to avoid moving out on 24 and 25 October. NDRF/SDRF/TSR/Fire & ES / Trained Volunteers and QRTs to be alerted immediately when required and to respond at identified locations. Boats, life jackets and other flood rescue equipment have been kept ready.
The authorities concerned have been asked for monitoring of river flows, embankments and catchment areas, evacuation of people from low lying areas to the safe shelters.
Immediate damage assessment would be done and report to be sent to SEOC by 2PM along with information of action taken report.
The other measures included- fishermen have been alerted not to go for fishing to lakes, rivers or any water bodies, need-based response to be taken up immediately as per disaster management plan, health teams to be increased and safety measures to be ensured at exit points for Diwali Mela at Matabari.