Agartala, Aug 28, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk
Agartala, Aug 28: An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) led by B.C. Joshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi has arrived in Agartala for an advance on the spot assessments.
The IMCT members consist of officials from Agriculture, Finance, Transport, Water Resource and Rural Development sectors.
The State Government is extending all assistance including briefing to the IMCT for on the spot damage assessment and their field visit to the areas affected by the recent floods. All Departments have accordingly taken preparatory steps.
The central team held an important meeting with the state officials including Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte and Power secretary Abhishek Singh.
Heavy and continuous rainfall occurred during the period 19-23 August 2024. This caused unprecedented floods in the State. The Water level of Gomati River at Sonamura has come down from above the critical level but is still above flood level.
As on date, 369 relief camps are operational by District Administration, providing shelter to over 53,356 persons in the State. The District Administration is continuing to provide necessary relief, including food, drinking water, medical help etc. in relief camps. Over 27,000 food packets have been distributed till date.
As on today, 3 teams of State Disaster Response Force (TSR) and 2 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working in relief operations in Gomati and Sepahijala Districts. About 500 volunteers of Civil Defense and Aapda Mitra are continueing to be engaged in relief operations.
Total 31 persons have lost their lives, 2 (two) received injuries and one person is reported to be missing.
The recent floods in Tripura caused significant disruption in urban areas. Over 32,000 (~8000 families) people were safely evacuated and sheltered in camps, where they received food, water, and medical care.
All of the 3 Water Treatment Plants and 11 Deep Tube Wells that were damaged in Agartala city were promptly restored. Total 9 Water Tankers have been deployed in areas reported to have non-availability of drinking water in Agartala. The de-clogging and de-watering efforts are undertaken by making all damaged pumps functional, clearing city streets and facilitating normalcy.
To prevent spread of any water borne diseases, regular cleaning of toilets, bleaching, disinfectant spraying and hygienic environment in shelter houses has been ensured. A waste management SOP for safe sanitation practices has been released for ULBs to adhere to. As the state gets back on its feet, we remain vigilant and committed to building a more resilient future for all. A preliminary assessment of assets damaged due to floods in ULBs is to the tune of around Rs. 306 crore.
To tackle the fallout of floods on health aspects, doctors have visited relief camps 1107 times and treated 35,477 persons. They carried out 1650 health camps for checking over 45,000 persons. The Health Department will procure 2 lakhs of ORS packets, 20 lakhs of halogen tablets, 10 lakhs of zinc tablets and medicines for fever, skin lotions and ointments in sufficient etc. for carrying out disinfection and anti-diarrhoea measures.