Heavy Rains, Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Damage in Tripura
Since Sunday night, heavy rains and thunderstorms have caused significant devastation across multiple districts in Tripura. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, over 1,800 houses have been impacted, forcing hundreds of families to seek shelter in relief camps.
Extent of Damage
The most recent situation report, released at 4:00 PM on Monday, confirms that 1,835 houses were affected by the severe weather. Among these, 51 houses were completely destroyed, 615 suffered severe damage, and 1,169 were partially damaged. The worst-hit area is Mohanpur subdivision, where 1,809 houses have been affected, making it the epicenter of the disaster.
To ensure the safety of residents, the administration has promptly set up four relief camps within the Mohanpur subdivision. These camps are currently sheltering more than 991 people who had to evacuate their homes due to unsafe living conditions.
Other affected areas include Jampuijala in the Sepahijala district, where 22 houses were damaged, and Jirania subdivision, which reported partial damage to four homes. Despite the widespread destruction, authorities have confirmed that there have been no casualties or injuries reported so far.
Infrastructure Damage and Restoration Efforts
The severe weather has also taken a toll on infrastructure. A total of five electric poles were swept away by the storm—four in Karbook (Gomati district) and one in Udaipur. To restore power, teams from the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) have been deployed, working around the clock to repair the damage and restore essential services.
In North Tripura, the storm caused a mature tree to fall, blocking the Padmapur-Harichand Road in Dharmanagar. Swift action by Aapda Mitra and Civil Defence volunteers ensured the obstruction was cleared promptly, minimizing disruption to traffic.
Water Levels and Rainfall Data
Despite continuous rainfall, river levels in the state remain below critical thresholds. The highest water level recorded was at the Bijoy River in Bishalgarh, measuring 11.10 meters, which has only just crossed the bed level and does not currently pose a flood risk.
Rainfall has been particularly heavy in Khowai district, which recorded the highest precipitation at 96.4 mm. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to respond to any sudden rise in water levels.
Agricultural Impact and Community Response
Subhas Datta, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mohanpur, highlighted that the combination of hailstorms and thunderstorms has caused severe damage to large tracts of cropland, rubber gardens, and residential structures. The worst-hit area within Mohanpur subdivision is the Simna assembly constituency.
According to Datta, many older homes with worn-out roofs were severely affected, as hailstones punctured the roofing materials, making them uninhabitable. Continuous rainfall further aggravated the situation, with water seeping through the damaged roofs, leaving families with no choice but to relocate to relief camps.
“Our area has faced both hailstorm and thunderstorm in the last 24 hours, and the damage is extensive. People had to be moved to relief camps as their homes became unlivable due to the persistent rainfall,” said Datta.
Relief Measures and Next Steps
Relief efforts have been initiated promptly, focusing on providing shelter, food, and medical support to the displaced families. Local administration and disaster management teams are actively coordinating with various agencies to speed up restoration work and ensure the well-being of affected residents.
Authorities have urged people to remain cautious and adhere to safety guidelines, as intermittent rain and storms are expected to continue in some regions. The government has assured continuous monitoring and support until the situation stabilizes.
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