Agartala, Aug 25, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Key Highlights: 525 relief camps now operational with 1.17 lakh people, death toll rises to 26, Around 20,289 houses suffer damages, relief operations underway in affected places, Flood poses risk of water-borne disease, CM urges people to take precautions

Agartala, Aug 25: The state government is taking all necessary steps to deal with the challenges posed by the unprecedented flooding.

According to official sources, the risk of water-borne diseases is the main concern in the post-flood situation and initiatives have already been taken to hold health camps for the flood victims, ensuring their health safety. Besides, the Health department also issued an advisory in this regard.

Amid on-going flood crisis in various places of the state, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday made an appeal to the public, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions to beat the risk of possible water-borne diseases.

Dr. Saha in a social media post highlighted the state government's efforts in organizing health camps in flood-affected areas to combat the growing risk of water contamination after flooding in various districts.

Drinking boiled water can help reduce the risks, Dr. Saha noted, adding that public health and safety remain the government's top priority.

Meanwhile, while efforts are going on to fix the damages in power and road infrastructures, relief efforts including distribution of food, water and other essentials are also underway in full swing.

According to an official press release issued on Sunday, a total of 525 relief camps are still operational with over 1.17 lakh people across the State.

The death toll due to excessive rainfall, landslides and flood has reached 26 while two persons received injuries and two persons are missing.

“Preliminary reports suggest extensive damages to physical infrastructure like roads, buildings, power lines, embankments, and agriculture crops, houses, livestock etc. As per preliminary estimates, 20,289 houses are damaged including 1,610 fully damaged, 1,633 severely damaged and 17,046 partly damaged houses,” the press statement said.

The state witnessed massive flooding due to continuous rainfall during the period August 19-24. The water level of the Gomati River at Sonamura is still above the danger level. There was comparatively less rainfall in the last two days.

As on today, 3 teams of State Disaster Response Force (TSR) and 2 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working in rescue operations in 3 districts. More than 500 volunteers of Civil Defense and Aapda Mitra are still engaged in relief and rescue operations. Till date, approximately 27,000 food packets have been sent for Gomati and South Tripura districts.

The disrupted portion of NH- 08 in Atharamura where the wide cracks were developed due to incessant rains and landslides is now operational for light vehicles.