Norwester hits Tripura: 3 fishermen die after makeshift platform collapses at Lake Dumboor

“The state disaster management authorities were deployed and they were able to recover three bodies. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were deployed later and a search is on to retrieve the fourth body,” an official said.

He added that senior officials of the Dhalai district administration were camping near the lake.

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) also informed that over 4,500 houses were damaged across the state as heavy showers, thunderstorms, and squalls hit the state.

An SEOC report said Sepahijala, South Tripura, and Khowai districts were the worst hit with 4,583 damaged houses – including 23 fully damaged, 215 severely damaged and 4,345 partly damaged houses. The local administration has rolled out financial assistance of Rs 1.1 lakh to affected people on an emergency basis while further reports are being compiled to disburse more emergency support.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha took to his official X handle soon after the first body was recovered. He wrote, “I have come to know that four fishermen have gone missing in Dumboor reservoir due to a norwester. The body of one of the victims has already been recovered under the supervision of the administration and the search is on for the remaining three. The state government stands by their families in this difficult situation.”

In a separate post, the CM said he was aware of the extensive damage caused in various parts of the state owing to the norwester. “…In this dire situation, the state administration is on the side of the people. The state government will provide assistance as per natural calamity rules.”

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department predicted that some areas in the state will receive one or two spells of light to moderate rainfall or thundershower in the next 24 hours.

It also warned that thunderstorms with wind speeds of 30-40 kilometre per hour are likely to occur at isolated places in the state on Monday.