Tripura MLA visits rain-hit villages in Boxanagar

Boxanagar MLA Tafajjal Hossain on Monday visited rain-affected areas in Boxanagar block and assured relief and rehabilitation measures for families whose houses and property were damaged due to heavy rainfall.

The MLA, accompanied by Boxanagar Block Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Swapna Nama, visited Veluarchar Uttarpara under Boxanagar block, where several houses were inundated following continuous rainfall since Sunday night.

According to local residents, water entered around 20 to 25 houses in Ward No. 1 of Beluarchar Uttarpara, while nearly 13 houses suffered partial or extensive damage. Several ponds overflowed, vegetable fields were damaged and livestock and other property were also affected.

Residents said around 21 to 22 ponds were inundated, resulting in the loss of fish, while standing vegetable crops were damaged.

During the visit, the MLA interacted with affected families and assured them that the matter would be taken up with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the block administration for providing relief materials, food assistance and rehabilitation support for damaged houses.
He also arranged food for the affected families, according to local residents.

Some residents alleged that obstruction to the natural drainage system caused by embankments constructed during pond excavation on private land had contributed to waterlogging in the area. They claimed such flooding had not occurred in the locality in the past.

Meanwhile, drainage was also affected after a sluice gate maintained by the Border Security Force on the Hariganga river between border gates 179 and 180 was blocked by debris, residents alleged.

According to local residents, the MLA visited the site and arranged for the sluice gate to be cleared, following which the accumulated water started receding. The affected villagers demanded an official assessment of the damage and sought financial assistance and rehabilitation from the government.