Roads cleared, power supply restored across Tripura after nearly a week of heavy rain, thunderstorm

Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat in Agartala on Monday evening, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey said 800 houses were affected by the sudden thunderstorms, hail, heavy downpour and lightning in the last two days. As many as 62 houses were fully damaged, 161 were severely damaged and 577 were partly damaged.

“There were reports of blockades in 42 locations due to felling of trees, electric poles and electric transmission lines. Two persons died in Gomati district out of which one was confirmed to be a case of lightning strike; we are working on confirming the other. Power supply was affected in 205 areas,” the official said.

He also said that immediate response and relief measures following the election model code of conduct were rolled out to everyone affected and all blockades caused by uprooted trees, electric poles were cleared.

“The district disaster management authorities have taken immediate steps to mitigate the impact of Kalboishakhi and provide immediate response and relief measures to people in accordance with the model code of conduct guidelines. Quick response teams were deployed to cut and remove fallen trees, restore power lines and damage assessment teams are on the ground. We have restored power, removed all the blockades and provided immediate relief to 50 affected families at Rs. 4-5 thousand per family. Further assessment is being done and 23 people from 7 families are currently sheltered at a relief camp at Teliamura of Khowai district,” the official said.

Two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed on the ground to manage any further disruptions. The state disaster management authorities have Rs 55.38 crore at their disposal, officials said, adding that Rs 4 lakh would be paid to the families of each of the deceased persons, Rs 1.20 lakh would be paid for fully and severely damaged houses in the plains and Rs 1.30 lakh compensation would be provided for similar damages in hilly terrain, Rs 65,000 compensation would be extended to partly damaged pucca houses, and Rs 4000 given for partly damaged kachha houses while the government would provide Rs 8,000 for damaged or fully destroyed huts.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been providing weather forecasts and the authorities have asked people to avoid going out during thunderstorms or other natural calamities for now.

As for damages to crops as seen in Kailashahar and other parts of Dhalai, North Tripura districts, where large tracts of vegetable fields were reported heavily damaged by thunderstorms and hailstorms, Sarat Das, a senior official of the state disaster management authority, said the assessment of crop damages is being done in coordination with the agriculture department.

Meanwhile, there were reports of wild animals like bison coming down to agricultural fields and near human habitations at Kathalia village in West Tripura district, especially after the thunderstorms. Officials said they are collecting information about the same and trying to confirm the reports.