Around 10, 600 people from 2800 families have taken shelter in government-run relief camps across four districts of including Agartala city following incessant rainfall over the past two days that has triggered severe flooding in several parts of the state.

In light of the prevailing and forecasted weather conditions, a “Red” alert has been issued to all districts indicating a high likelihood of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in some places for Sunday and for Monday.

Addressing a press conference Revenue secretary, Brijesh Pandey said that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha regularly reviewed the current weather situation in the state with the Chief Secretary and other concerned officials and all District Magistrates (DMs) and all measures to mitigate the suffering of common people with relief and rescue operations.

Heavy Monsoon rain across Agartala and its vicinity flooded all low lying areas of the city along with fresh flood in all areas adjacent to river Howrah since Saturday evening.

The fresh flood at the adjoining areas of river Howrah and other parts of the state after incessant rain during the last 24 hours under the influence of strengthening of Monsoon in Tripura, rendered hundreds people homeless in all low lying areas of river Howrah.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday afternoon visited flood affected areas, relief camps and reviewed relief activities.

Under the influence deep depression in Bay of Bengal, the heavy rainfall lashed major parts of Tripura, worsening the flood situation in several places, even as the MET department forecast more downpours in the state over the next five days and issued ‘red’, ‘orange’ and  ‘yellow’ warning with heavy rainfall prediction across the state.

As incessant Monsoon rainfall struck Tripura since Wednesday morning and low-lying areas and areas adjacent to many rivers flooded with rain water and disturbed normal life after heavy downpour on Saturday evening in Agartala and its vicinity. The worst flood situation has been reported from West Tripura and Khowai districts.

While, Chief Minister said, all officials concerned are working on the ground and keeping a close eye on the flood situation. Dr Saha said this after visiting several flood-affected areas in West Tripura district.

In his visits to relief camps, the Chief Minister interacted with the flood-affected people and took stock of the relief measures.

On Sunday afternoon, Dr Saha visited flood-hit areas including Chandrapur, Pratapgarh, and Bardowali along the banks of the Howrah River in Agartala.  He also inspected the overall management of seven relief camps and interacted with the residents.

 “Over the last two days, there has been massive rainfall not only in Tripura but also in Assam and other parts of the Northeast, which has caused extensive damages. Today, I visited the relief camps in Agartala. Despite heavy rainfall, the water in Agartala has receded, indicating that the drainage system is functioning well,” Dr Saha said.

He further informed that 60 relief camps have been opened for flood victims, with proper food and other arrangements in four districts of the state.

“Medical teams are on the spot and have been instructed to maintain sanitation. NDRF, SDRF, Apada Mitra volunteers, and Tripura Police are all working on the ground. Government officials, Agartala Municipal Corporation staff, and karyakartas are working tirelessly. We are fully prepared,” he said.

The Chief Minister urged people in flood-prone areas to shift to safer locations to avoid danger.

Meanwhile, Revenue Secretary giving details of relief and rescue operations said that during last 24-hours significant rainfalls including Budhnjungnagar (West Tripura) 198.5 mm, Kailashahar 192.2 mm, Jirania (West Tripura) 175.5 mm and Agartala city received 140 mm rain.

He said that a total 14 rescue teams have been deployed at different places of West Tripura and Unakoti districts  including teams from NDRF, SDPRF, Assam Rifles, Fire Service, Civil Defence etc.

A total of 60 relief camps including 48 in West Tripura, 3 in Khowai, 3 in Unakoti and 6 more in North Tripura districts have been opened and sheltered around 2800 families and around 10,600 inmates.

Several road were temporarily blocked due to fallen trees and landslides in North, Unakoti, Dhalai and West Tripura districts and swift action by different teams led to the clearance of may routes, said Pandey and added that preliminary data reports that a total of 201 houses damaged including 92  in many districts.

The river level of Howard at Agartala was 10.91 meters at 5 PM on Sunday, which is above danger level. However, it has remained stagnant since morning and now has started  receding trend for the last few hours.

Speaking win the press meet DM(West) Dr Vishal Kumar said that there are 17 pumps houses in Agartala draining city storm water in Howrah and Katakhal rivers and on Saturday evening, there was high precipitation recorded in just 2 hours , as a result there is water stagnation but it gets resolved in 2 to 3 hours.

They urged the people not to panic and should avoid venturing near rivers and low-lying areas.