Inter-Ministerial Central team arrived Tripura to assess damages caused by devastating flood

A six-member Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) arrived  at Agartala  on Wednesday to take stock of the damages and losses caused by the week-long floods and landslides in Tripura, which witnessed disastrous floods for the first time in over three decades.

Giving details, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey  said that on the request of the state government, the Centre sent the six-member inter-ministerial team led by B.C. Joshi, Joint Secretary (Foreigners Division) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The team comprises senior officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Expenditure (Ministry of Finance), and Ministries of Jal Shakti, Rural Development, and Road Transport and Highways.

State government will extend all assistance including briefing to the IMCT for on the spot damage assessment and their field visit to the areas affected by the recent floods. All departments have accordingly taken preparatory steps, said Pandey.

He said that the team attended a series of meetings with the state officials and will  visit various districts, especially the worst-hit Gomati, Sepahijala, West Tripura, and South Tripura districts for on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the wake of devastating floods and landslides that wreaked havoc in Tripura between August 19 and August 24.

He said that the water level of Gomati river at Sonamura has come down from above the critical level but is still above flood level.

Earlier, on Tuesday Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha held a review meeting on flood situation and as per his direction DMs are focusing on providing instant relief, drinking water, health and sanitation and expedite the restoration measures.

Pandey added that  as on date, 369 relief camps are operational by District Administration, providing shelter to over 53,356 persons in the state. The District Administration is continuing to provide necessary relief, including food, drinking water, medical help etc. in relief camps. Over 27,000 food packets have been distributed till date.

Pandey also said that as on Wednesday, 3 teams of State Disaster Response Force (TSR) and 2 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working in relief operations in Gomati and Sepahijala Districts. About 500 volunteers  of Civil  Defense and ‘Aapda Mitra’ are continuing to be engaged in relief operations. Total 31 (thirty-one) persons have lost their lives, 2(two) injured and 1(one) person is reported to be missing.

Landslides triggered by heavy rain occurred in a record number of 2,066 places, including many important highways such as National Highway-8, the lifeline of Tripura.

Disaster management officials said that as per the initial estimates, around 20,300 houses were damaged either fully or partially due to the heavy rain, landslides, and floods.

So far around 1,000 drinking water schemes have been repaired and the remaining sources are also being repaired on a war footing.

The Relief Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Department of the state government has so far released Rs 79 crore to eight districts to undertake relief, rehabilitation, and restoration work.

The Revenue Secretary said the recent floods in Tripura caused significant disruption in urban areas. Over 32,000 ( around 8000 families) people were safely evacuated and sheltered in camps, where they received food, water, and medical care. All of the 3 Water Treatment Plants and 11 Deep Tube Wells that were damaged in Agartala city were promptly restored. Total 9 Water Tankers have been deployed in areas reported to have non-availability of drinking water in Agartala. The de-clogging and de- watering efforts are undertaken by making all damaged pumps functional, clearing city streets and facilitating normalcy.

Revenue Secretary further stated that to prevent spreading of any water borne diseases, regular cleaning of toilets, bleaching, disinfectant spraying and hygienic environment in shelter houses has been ensured.

It may be recalled here that during an all-party meeting, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha had informed that as per preliminary assessment, the damages to properties, crops and infrastructure amounted to around Rs 15,000 crore, which could rise further after field assessment.