At a time, when a six-member Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) visiting many flood affected areas of assess the stock of the damage   , considering the gravity of the situation, leading to loss of human lives and public and private properties, the state government has declare the entire state as “Natural Calamity Affected Area”.

Official sources said that the decision was taken in a meeting of the State Executive Committee of Tripura Disaster Management Authority (TDMA) held under the chairmanship of the chief secretary on August 24, 2024. Accordingly a notification has been issued by the government in this regard.

While, the six-member Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT)   on Thursday visited many flood affected areas of Gomati and South Tripura districts 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) arrived in the state on Wednesday and they attended rounds of meeting with concerned administrative officials and on Thursday along state government officials visited many flood affected areas, relief camps, villages and also met also affected people.

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.

Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat in Agartala on Thursday afternoon, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey said that in the wake of the recent flood the water level of Gomati River at Sonamura is reducing slowly, but is still above the flood level and the situation is being closely monitored.

Pandey said that till now 32 persons have lost their lives, two are injured and one person is missing in this flood. As on date 346 relief camps are operational in the state by the district administrations, providing shelter to around 52,906 persons. The district administration is providing necessary relief including food, drinking water and medical help etc. To prevent spreading of any water-borne disease, regular cleaning of toilets, bleaching, disinfectant spraying etc. are being ensured in the shelter houses.

Meanwhile the Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) led by B.C. Joshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, held a preliminary meeting with the officials of the state government. A detailed briefing was given to the team on the flood situation and preliminary damage assessment as well. The IMCT is visiting many flood affected areas of Gomati and South Tripura districts for on-the-spot damage assessment, said Pandey.

 The District Disaster Management Authorities led by respective DM and Collector and officials from different departments have taken preparatory steps to facilitate the assessment by the IMCT.

He said that to tackle the fallout of floods on health aspects, doctors have visited 1271 times different relief camps to treat 37,596 persons. In addition, they have carried out 1,867 health camps to conduct health checkups of 43,887 persons.

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under SBM(G) Tripura has issued comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to (a) Solid Waste Management, WasteWater Management, and Safe Sanitation Practices. These SOPs aim to mitigate the risk of water-borne diseases, ensure safe disposal of waste, promote healthy and sanitation practices and help in post flood recovery in affected areas. As on date, 100% power supply has been restored in 18 power divisions. The power supply is around 70%-90% in the other 6 divisions which are located in South Tripura, Gomati and Sepahijala Districts due to water logging. These too will be completed in 2-3 days, provided water level comes down, said the Revenue Secretary.

All 4734 Schools in the state have been opened except 163 schools which are yet to be re-opened. These schools are in four districts namely Dhalai (14), Sepahijala (33), Gomati (65) and South Tripura (51). Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) also started functioning yesterday. As on date, 9,278 AWCs are physically functional and ‘Take home Ration’ is being given in 934 AWCs. Rest 10 AWCs are still under water and will be started once water recedes.

Labourers have been badly affected due to recent floods, resulting in loss of livelihood and income to them. The Labour Department has decided to provide one-time financial assistance to registered construction workers at Rs.4000 per worker from the labour cess. This decision will benefit 42,981 registered construction workers in the state and provide them an amount of Rs. 17.20 crore, said Pandey.