Norwester storm wreak havoc across Tripura

The Norwester storm struck several areas across Tripura and damaged many houses, besides uprooting trees and blocking the national highway-No-8 since Tuesday morning. The intermittent rains with thunder showers across Tripura during the last 8 hours also brought some respite from scorching heat.

Heavy torrential rain and thunder showers in Norwester rendered hundreds of people homeless in some other parts of the state also on Tuesday morning including West Tripura district. Though, vehicular movements in National Highway and other roads have been resumed after authorities cleared debris for uprooted trees.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an updated weather warning forecasting moderate to severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, and heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts of Tripura over the next three days.

According to the Meteorological station in Agartala, the state has already experienced significant rainfall and strong winds in the past 24 hours. Dhalai district recorded the highest rainfall at 159 mm in Kamalpur, while the strongest wind speed of 111 kmph was reported in Chhailengta. Other districts including Unakoti, Khowai, and North Tripura also witnessed substantial rainfall and gusty winds.

Day-wise Forecast

Day 1 (April 28–29):

Thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds of 60–80 kmph are very likely in Khowai and West Tripura districts, accompanied by heavy to very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm). The rest of the districts may experience thunderstorms with wind speeds of 50–60 kmph and similar rainfall intensity at isolated places.

Day 2 (April 29–30):

Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 50–60 kmph are expected across all districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in North, Unakoti, Dhalai, Khowai, and West districts, while other areas may receive heavy rainfall.

Day 3 (April 30–May 1):

Thunderstorm activity will persist, particularly in North, Unakoti, Dhalai, Khowai, and West districts, along with heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

The IMD has warned that intense rainfall may lead to waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and flash floods in low-lying areas. Strong winds could uproot trees, damage power and communication lines, and cause partial to major damage to kutcha houses and vulnerable structures.

Agricultural activities are also likely to be affected, with possible damage to standing crops, especially vegetables, banana, and papaya plantations. Lightning poses a serious threat to people and livestock in open areas.

Advisory for Residents

Residents have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid travel unless necessary, and stay away from trees and electric poles. Farmers are urged to suspend fieldwork temporarily and take protective measures to safeguard crops. Authorities have also cautioned against staying in landslide-prone and waterlogged areas.

While, after Tuesday’s Norwester storm, thousands of trees, telephone and electric poles were uprooted, badly affecting electricity supply, telecommunication services, and movement of vehicles.

The seasonal squalls accompanied by rains, thunder-storms, lightning and hail-storms since Monday night have destroyed hundreds of houses and disrupted power supply and telecommunication across the state.

The Norwester storm wreaked havoc in Ambassa on Tuesday morning and uprooted hundreds of trees and electric lines and blocked the national highway for hours

Reports from Dharmanagar also said that many houses were damaged and many trees and electric lines were also uprooted in the Norwester storm on Tuesday night.

In Agartala, Mohanpur and Jirania subdivision, the Norwester storm destroyed a large number of thatched houses, uprooted trees and electric lines.

Sources in the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) said that the storm on Monday night had badly affected electric supply across the state and massive restoration works were begun on Tuesday afternoon in all affected areas of the state.