Monsoon Flood: Over 10k people in relief camps, water levels receding rapidly

Even as the rainfall has stopped in almost all districts of  Tripura, the overall situation is yet to stumble back to normalcy. The water levels in all rivers which had reached the danger to critical levels at some point due to intense rains are receding at a rapid pace, a top official of the disaster response authority has said. 

“The rainfall has stopped. The water levels are receding fast. We are monitoring the situation and all sorts of efforts would be undertaken to ensure safety and security of each and every individual affected by the floods,” said the official. 

According to the latest report till 5 pm, more than 10,900 people from 2,787 families continued to take shelter in 78 relief camps across Tripura on Thursday as heavy rainfall over the past two days triggered flooding, landslides and widespread damage to houses in several districts, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

The latest Detailed Situation Report (DSR) said 862 houses have been damaged across the state, including 64 that were completely destroyed, 93 severely damaged and 717 partially damaged. No fresh casualties or injuries due to the heavy rain have been reported, while damage assessment is still underway and financial assistance will be provided after the completion of the assessment.

Unakoti district remained the worst affected, with 35 relief camps housing 6,068 people from 1,415 families. Kailashahar subdivision alone accounted for 3,341 inmates in 12 camps, while Kumarghat had 2,727 people staying in 23 relief camps.

Khowai district has opened 22 relief camps in Teliamura and two more in Khowai subdivision, sheltering 2,844 people from 824 families. Dhalai district has 20 relief camps accommodating 1,913 people from 523 families, while North Tripura has one camp housing 80 people.

Authorities also reported multiple rain-related incidents on Thursday. A landslide at 18 Mura, 36 Mile under Mungiakami block in Teliamura blocked traffic before the road was cleared by the Central Disaster Volunteers (CDV) and AMV teams. Two large trees that fell on East and West Sardukarkari roads were removed by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Another landslide at Natun Chan Bari-Dasgaria road in Khowai subdivision was cleared by the Public Works Department, while a landslide at Tirthamukh-Nuncherra in Gomati district was cleared by local people.

Among rivers, the Manu river at Kailashahar was flowing above the danger level at 24.57 metres, while the Deo river at Kumarghat and the Manu river at Longtharai Valley remained above critical levels. The Khowai river at Khowai town was also at a critical level. Several other rivers, including the Howrah, Juri, Kakri and Bijoy, were flowing above their expected flood levels.

Heavy rainfall continued across the state, with Kumarghat recording the highest rainfall of 145.5 mm, followed by Khowai at 140.4 mm, Chhamanu at 134.2 mm, Nidebi at 128.4 mm, Amarpur at 119.6 mm and Kailashahar at 110.8 mm.

The SEOC has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers across most parts of Tripura over the next 24 hours, with heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm likely at one or two places, prompting authorities to remain on alert.