Agartala, August 28, 2024: In response to the catastrophic floods that have swept across Tripura, the Government of India is dispatching an advance Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to the state for an elaborate assessment of the damage. The IMCT led by B. C. Joshi, Joint Secretary (Foreigners Division) from the Ministry of Home Affairs is set to arrive on Wednesday. The team will include representatives from key departments such as Agriculture, Expenditure (Ministry of Finance), Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources), Rural Development, and Road Transport & Highways.
Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey announced this crucial development during a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club on Tuesday evening. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Though rainfall has lessened since August 24, the water level of the Gomati River in Sonamura remains perilously high, keeping us on high alert.”
The floods have already claimed 31 lives, injured 2 individuals, and left one person missing. Over 72,000 residents have sought refuge in 492 relief camps across the state. The District Administration, alongside six teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and five teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), is relentlessly working to provide relief. “Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of every affected person. We have mobilized about 500 volunteers from Civil Defense and Aapda Mitra to assist in relief operations,” Pandey added.
In a coordinated effort, the state government is closely monitoring the situation. The Chief Minister, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, convened a high-level review meeting earlier on Tuesday with key officials, including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Secretaries from various departments. The focus of the meeting was on immediate relief measures, including the provision of safe drinking water, restoration of power lines, and ensuring sanitation in relief camps. “We are committed to providing instant relief and prioritizing the restoration of essential services. The health and safety of our citizens are paramount,” the Chief Minister stated.
During the press conference, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey provided an update on the ongoing restoration efforts, revealing that 977 out of 3,273 drinking water schemes have been successfully restored. He assured that urgent repairs are underway for the remaining water sources. “We are prioritizing the testing of all drinking water sources to ensure they meet BIS quality standards,” Pandey emphasized. Additionally, District Magistrates have been instructed to deploy water tankers to supply safe drinking water where needed.
Addressing the health challenges posed by the floods, Pandey highlighted that doctors have conducted 1,207 visits to relief camps, treating a total of 35,993 individuals. Furthermore, 1,799 health camps have been organized, benefiting 42,800 people. To prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, the Health Department is procuring 2,000 bags of bleaching powder, 2,00,000 ORS packets, and substantial quantities of halogen tablets, zinc tablets, and medicines for fever and other related illnesses.
In a move to strengthen the relief efforts, the state government has allocated Rs 69 crores to the eight worst-affected districts and an additional Rs 5 crore each to the Agriculture and Power Departments, bringing the total fund release to Rs 79 crores. A dedicated committee, headed by Prashant Badal Negi, Director of the Tourism Department, has been formed to coordinate with NGOs for the collection and distribution of relief materials.
As the IMCT prepares to assess the flood-ravaged areas, the people of Tripura remain hopeful that the joint efforts of the state and central governments will bring much-needed relief and pave the way for recovery.
