IMD predicts heavy rain, thunderstorm in Tripura on Diwali; administration on alert

A letter issued from the office of P Acharjee, additional secretary to the state government, said, “Heavy rains and thunderstorms may affect this Diwali festival. However, looking at the current situation, may follow the impact-based advisories of IMD and take up following measures…”. Acharjee has instructed all district magistrates to alert the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire services and trained volunteers to remain ready to tackle any situation, if required.

Besides, additional volunteers as well as rescue boats, life jackets and flood rescue items will be kept ready for rescue and relief purposes. The district magistrates have been asked to monitor the flow of rivers and the situation at embankments and catchment areas before taking preventive measures.

Acharjee has also directed to keep operating pumps ready for extraction of flood water in inundated areas and to prepare to evacuate affected people from low-lying areas to safe places along with provision of relief. The response teams will be required to remove debris to restore essential services, if required. The state emergency operation centre is scheduled to receive reports of the damage assessment by 2 pm.

Other northeastern states, including Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and West Bengal, as well as Odisha are also expected to experience heavy rainfall during the period.

Speaking to reporters later this evening, Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Minister Sushanta Chowdhury reiterated the thunderstorm alert and said that Tripura is likely to be affected with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with squally wind of 50-60 km/hour, gusting upto 70 km/hour at isolated places on Monday and heavy to very heavy rainfall with squally wind of 40-50 km/hr gusting upto 60 km/hour on October 25 due to low pressure and deep depression in the Bay of Bengal.

The minister said the IMD has issued a yellow alert on October 24 and 26, while a red alert for October 25. he added that as part of the measures to face the thunderstorms, the state government has alerted all district administrations to take precautionary measures on receipt of its first warning considering the seriousness of the situation.

A special review meeting headed by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha was held with all the DMs and officials of all line departments, Army and central paramilitary forces.

Meanwhile, leaves of all government officials have been cancelled for the next week, and schools and educational institutions would remain closed for three days starting Monday.

All line departments have been directed to take immediate steps for preparedness and immediate response, while relief camps were advised to be notified, and relief materials to be arranged in advance. Movement of vehicles are being monitored and regulated throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the public has been advised to avoid moving out on October 24 and 25. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Tripura State Rifles (TSR), Fire Service and trained volunteers have also been alerted. Safety equipment such as boats, life jackets and other flood-rescue items are being kept on standby, while river flows, embankments and catchment areas are being monitored.

The local administration was instructed to prepare for evacuation of people from low-lying areas to safe shelters and provide relief if needed, begin operating pumps in inundated areas to extract floodwater and make immediate damage assessment and report to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC).

The IMD has predicted a maximum rainfall of up to 200mm in 24 hours.