Tripura floods: CM Saha orders relief as heavy rain leaves 974 people homeless

Heavy overnight rainfall on Saturday flooded several areas of West Tripura district, including Agartala, and disrupted normal life, officials said.

According to the West district magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar, several areas of Sadar sub-division and Jirania sub-division in the district were most affected by the heavy rainfall. The water level of the Haorah river increased, flooding low-lying areas of the capital city and affecting many houses along its banks.

No deaths or injuries have been reported yet. However, heavy rains left at least 974 people from 280 families homeless in different areas of West Tripura and Khowai districts. All of them were sheltered at 11 relief camps opened in Sadar and Jirania in West Tripura district, and Teliamura and Khowai in Khowai district.

The administration also deployed boats to evacuate people in the waterlogged areas.

Tripura chief minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday asked the administration to adopt necessary measures to deliver relief and required assistance to the people affected by the heavy rainfall that occurred in different parts of West Tripura district last night.

“Heavy rainfall has inundated various areas of West Tripura district. The situation is being monitored round the clock. The concerned district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates have been instructed to take necessary and appropriate measures. The administration has been directed to actively work to stand by the affected people and swiftly deliver relief and necessary assistance”, CM Saha wrote on X.

The Meteorological Department predicted light to moderate rainfall over the state’s districts in the next 24 hours.

The department also warned of heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) at one or a few places in North, Unakoti, Dhalai, Khowai, West and Gomati districts.

Last month, heavy rainfall left over 2,000 people homeless in different parts of Tripura.