IMD forecasts heavy rain in parts of Tripura for 5 days from tomorrow

The IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rain of 7-20 cm in one or two places in the South, Sepahijala, and Gomati districts on August 24 and 25. Also, heavy rain of 7-11 cm is expected in one or two places in the other districts during the same period.

Last month, heavy rain left at least 840 people from 250 families homeless in different areas, mostly from Santirbazar and Belonia of South Tripura district.

Last year, devastating floods claimed 38 lives, affected over 17 lakh people, and caused damage worth Rs 15,000 crore in road connectivity, power transmission, flood management infrastructure, domestic households and public infrastructure, livestock, agriculture, etc.

During the budget session in the Assembly this year, Chief Minister Manik Saha said the state government was planning to increase the navigability of the Haora river, which encircles large parts of Agartala city.

The Government says deforestation, soil erosion from the river basin, deposits in the riverbed, and siltation contribute to the lower water retention capacity of the river, which causes flooding even with low rainfall.

During his tenure as chief minister, Biplab Kumar Deb had undertaken ambitious plans to build dams after visiting the upper catchment area of Haora in the Baramura Hills.