Agartala, July 8: In a proactive move to avert large-scale devastation that the state witnessed during last year’s catastrophic floods, the Tripura government has initiated extensive preparedness exercises well in advance this monsoon season.
With memories still fresh of the 2024 deluge that claimed at least 32 lives, displaced over 1.49 lakh people, and caused an estimated ₹15,000 crore in damages—the worst since 1956—the state is now focused on minimizing loss of life and property through coordinated disaster management strategies.
As part of these efforts, a full-scale state-level mock drill on flood and landslide response will be conducted on Wednesday across three key locations in the capital. Dr. Vishal Kumar, DM & Collector of West Tripura, informed during a press conference on Tuesday that the mock exercises will be held at Umakanta Academy Playground, MBB Lake, Anandanagar, Vidyasagar Lake, and IGM hospital starting from 7:30 AM.
“Agartala is highly vulnerable to floods and landslides. Keeping this in mind, the mock drill has been planned to assess our preparedness and coordination among all key departments,” said Dr. Kumar, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
The exercise will involve the fire services, police, and various line departments including PWD, ARDD, Fisheries, and members of the armed and paramilitary forces such as BSF, CRPF, and Assam Rifles, ensuring a multi-agency response simulation.
All totally at 12 locations – six each for floods and landslides, mock exercise is going to take place.
In the lead-up to the drills, a tabletop exercise was held today at the DM’s Conference Hall in Agartala, where officials from all eight districts discussed emergency response mechanisms, resource availability, and inter-agency coordination in presence of a senior official of the National Disaster Management Authority and who will also guide the mock exercises.
Dr. Kumar expressed confidence that such preparedness activities will significantly enhance Tripura’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively during natural disasters beside identity the weaknesses and improve them. “These drills are crucial to ensure that all departments are aligned and ready to act in a real crisis,” he added.
With climate-induced weather extremes on the rise, Tripura’s early and comprehensive disaster readiness is being viewed as a critical step in safeguarding lives and infrastructure in the coming months.
