Incessant rains in Tripura: 10 dead, 34,000 displaced

AGARTALA, Tripura: The flood situation in Tripura has deteriorated, with the death toll rising to 10, while two others have sustained injuries. Over 34,000 people have been forced to take shelter in approximately 346 relief camps across the state.

This crisis followed due to two days of relentless rainfall, which caused the water levels of several rivers to exceed danger and extreme danger marks.

The administration has been actively engaged in rescue and relief operations for the affected population. Experts have noted that the state has never before experienced such a prolonged and severe rainfall event over the past 72 hours, leading to such widespread devastation. According to a State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) official, reports from the ground are still being compiled, but it is already confirmed that 1,056 houses have been damaged—82 of them completely, 311 severely, and 663 partially.

The deaths have been primarily caused by drowning and landslides triggered by the intense rainfall and subsequent flooding. The SEOC official added that, so far, there are no reports of missing persons. In areas with severe flooding, power services have been suspended to prevent accidents, as confirmed by an official from the state power department.

Currently, 336 relief camps have been established across various districts, with Khowai, West Tripura, Gomati, and South Tripura districts being the worst affected. The 34,100 displaced individuals, belonging to 6,620 families, are currently housed in relief camps located in Dharmanagar (North Tripura district), Kailashahar and Kumarghat (Unakoti district), Kamalpur, Longtraivalley, and Gandatwisa (Dhalai district), Bishalgarh and Sonamura (Sepahijala district), Teliamura and Khowai (Khowai district), Udaipur, Karbook, and Amarpur (Gomati district), Sabroom, Belonia, and Santirbazaar (South Tripura district), as well as various areas in the Sadar and Jirania sub-divisions of West Tripura district, including parts of the capital, Agartala. Large tracts of land have been submerged due to the incessant rainfall, resulting floods in the city.