As the cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ and heavy rainfall lashed major parts of Tripura, worsening the flood situation in several places, but, with a hope the MET department forecast light to moderate rain in the state for Wednesday.

The Deep Depression (remnant of Cyclonic Storm “Remal”) weakened into a Depression over east Bangladesh. The cyclonic storm 'Remal' made the landfall between the coasts of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal around 11:30 PM on Sunday and positioned near Jashore in Bangladesh which is about 185 km South West of Agartala and moving north- northeast wards and gradually weakening into a Deep Depression by evening of Monday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Due to impact of the cyclonic storm, Tripura has received Maximum rainfall recorded in the districts from the morning of the 27th at 08:30 AM to the morning of the 28th at 08:30 AM, in which the West Tripura district -received 229.0 mm rainfall,  Sepahijala district - 187.2 mm, Khowai district- 199.0 mm, Gomati district - 198.2 mm, South district - 168.0 mm, North district- 242.0 mm, Unakoti district- 252.4 mm and Dhalai district  received  248.3 mm in past 24 hours.

Director of IMD’s Agartala station, Dr Partha Roy said that in Tripura during last two years, Tripura has witnessed impact of many cyclones, but this is the first time in last two years , the state has received maximum rainfall in last 24-hours under the influence of cyclone ‘Remal’.

The cyclonic storm Remal has left a trail of destruction across the state and according to the latest data released by the Disaster Management Authority, Tripura has recorded an astounding rainfall accumulation of over 215.5 mm within a span of 24 hours.

Official sources said that there is substantial damage to properties, but,  there are no reports of loss of life from any district except uprooting of trees, electric pillars and transmission lines and blockade of roads in few places.

Sources said that government agencies have already started evacuating people from flood affected and low-lying areas to the safe shelters and started distribution of relief items.

Sources in the Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Sadar office said above 100 families of from Chandpur, Trinath, Baldakhal ,Chandrapur, Aralia and Pratapgarh areas of Agartala were forced to take shelter in the afternoon of Tuesday due to heavy rainfall and flood for hike of water level in river Howrah.

Several families in adjoining areas of river Howrah were evacuated by the administration and volunteers from flooded area of Pratapgarh, Aralia, Jogendranagar, Kathashewla, Chandrapur, Baldakhal areas of the eastern part of the city since Monday midnight , who were sheltered in relief camps including some makeshift camps.

Administrative authorities including local leaders visited the affected areas and monitored the rescue operations. Rescue operation teams have been camping in the affected areas since Tuesday afternoon and a large number of TSR and NDRF jawans were deployed in the affected areas.

There are reports of damages to crops and destruction of electric lines and tele-communication lines due to flooding as all the low-lying areas near river Howrah were flooded with river water . The administrative authorities of Sadar subdivision also visited the affected areas and declared immediate relief of affected people. The sub divisional administration has also started supply of relief materials to affected families including baby foods.

Vehicular movement was also hampered in some portions of National Highway-8 adjoining the river Howrah and normal life was severely affected in different parts of eastern Agartala.

However, Meteorological Department officials in Agartala said that the situation is likely to improve from Wednesday.

There would no heavy rains in the next few days. Light or moderate rains are likely to occur in some places of Tripura, said Meteorological Department Director in Agartala, Dr Parth Roy.

Sources in the District Magistrate (DM) of West Tripura district the Disaster Management teams, SDRF, trained ‘Aapda Mitra’ and Civil Defence Volunteers, NDRF were pressed into action for clearing roads and restoring the essential services. In most of the places roads have been cleared within a few hours. Damage assessment in many places is going on.

It may be recalled here that after the heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning struck the entire state since Monday morning, the capital city of Agartala submerged into flood water and all low-lying areas of the city totally submerged into rain water disturbing normal life across the city since Monday evening. Now, the situation in major parts of the Agartala city remained normal, but all low lying areas near the river Howrah have submerged into flood water and hundreds of families were sheltered in relief camps.

It may be recalled here that considering the heavy rainfall across the state, the Revenue department of the state government directed all concerned departments and agencies preparedness measures in view of the extreme weather prediction for heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state.

The flood water pumps in inundated areas start immediately to extract flood water, alert NDRF and all disaster response forces including SDRF, TSR to press into action and some teams with all equipment including boats are also now pressed into rescue operations in adjoining areas to river Howrah.

According to the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), the state administration and AMC have landed many boats on the city roads to help the people on Monday night.

Meanwhile, at present (Tuesday night) the water in the Howrah River is flowing above the danger level and all low-lying areas near the river have already submerged into flood water.