Agartala, July 13:
Continuous monsoon rains have disrupted normal life in Tripura, prompting authorities to issue an Orange Alert for West Tripura and Sepahijala districts, shut schools in the two districts, and intensify flood preparedness measures amid waterlogging in several areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon has become active again over the state, aided by a cyclonic circulation over Bangladesh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across Tripura over the next three days.
Dr. Partha Roy, Head of the Meteorological Centre in Agartala, IMD, said West Tripura recorded the highest rainfall of 138 mm during the past 24 hours, followed by 116 mm in Sepahijala. While rainfall intensity is expected to ease slightly between July 14 and 16, heavy rain is likely to continue in parts of West Tripura, Sepahijala, Khowai, Gomati and South Tripura districts, for which a Yellow Alert remains in force.
The last four days of incessant rain have caused waterlogging in several parts of West Tripura district, particularly in Mohanpur subdivision.
West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar said affected families are being shifted to safer locations and relief assistance has already begun.
In Agartala, low-lying localities, including Orient Chowmuhani, Radhanagar Bus Stand and B.K. Chowmuhani, witnessed severe waterlogging due to inadequate drainage but after sometime by pumping the water was cleared.
The administration has deployed JCB machines, pumps and suction equipment to drain out accumulated water, while also identifying weak points in the city’s drainage network for long-term improvements.
Officials said that although water levels in the Howrah and Kata Khal rivers have risen, both remain below the danger mark. However, vulnerable areas, including Baramura Hills, Srilankabasti, Pratapgarh and Bordowali, are under close surveillance.
A damaged stretch of the Kata Khal embankment near Pragati School has been repaired, while movement of heavy and goods vehicles over the Howrah and Kata Khal embankments has been restricted as a precautionary measure.
Considering student safety, the School Education Department suspended classes on Monday in all government, government-aided and private schools across West Tripura and Sepahijala districts.
The administration has appealed to residents to remain alert, avoid unnecessary movement through waterlogged areas, and follow official advisories while assuring that all agencies are on standby to tackle any deterioration in the flood situation. However, later in the day the weather conditions improved though there is every possibility of heavy rainfall late in the night.
