FLOOD : ALERT SOUNDED , HOWRAH FLOWING ABOVE WARNING LEVEL

In view of the havoc that the incessant rains wrecked and as the IMD warned there would be no respite on Saturday too from the very heavy showers the Agartala Municipal Corporation alerted citizens abd asked to take precautionery measures as well as stay home bound.  The rRevenue Department also came out with a press statement giving details of of the government’s steps and initiatives to cope with the unprecedented situation. The Revenue department press note also informed the people that the water level of Howrah and Juri rovers were flowing over the warning level.

In a press note, the AMC said all 16 pumps along with mobile pump machines in the city have been pressed into service to clear the water-logging on roads caused by the heavy downpour in several places- Orient Chowmuhani, RMS Chowmuhani, Shakuntala Road, Ganaraj Chowmuhani, IGM Chowmuhani and Paradise Chowmuhani. 

Several boats have already been pressed into service for safe movement of the people including students and employees. Besides, the AMC has taken initiatives to provide food to the stranded people. 

According to an IMD report, the Agartala city received 164 mm rains till 11.30 pm Friday which is one of the highest rainfalls in the past 62 years, the AMC press note said, adding that there were predictions of more showers on June 18 (Saturday). 

In such a situation, the West Tripura district disaster management unit has set up a control room with the helpline number- 1077 (Toll Free) so that the people can seek assistance in case of emergency.  Besides, Whatsapp messages can also be sent to AMC through the mobile number- 9863201665, the press release issued by the AMC Commissioner said.

In the meantime, a press note from the state government’s Revenue department said, Due to incessant heavy rainfall occurred today in the State, all districts have been affected but the most affected area is Agartala city of West Tripura District. Today’s rainfall recorded upto 5.30PM in Agartala city is 145mm which is highest in the month of June. IMD has given weather warning for 17 and 18 June 2022 for heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning in all districts. Low lying areas in the city got inundated and road traffic was also affected. State Government took prompt action for responding to the situation. Hon’ble Chief Minister reviewed the situation, visited Incident Command Control Centre (ICCC) to see the real-time flood inundation situation in the city, pump houses, advised Hon’ble Mayor and Commissioner, AMC for taking immediate measures for dewatering rainwater, extending rescue & relief operation, taking damage assessment etc. Revenue Department advised all DM & Collectors to take immediate measures as per outlined ten action points. DM West Tripura, SDM Sadar, Fire & Emergency Services and AMC with active involvement of NDRF, SDRF, Police, CD Volunteers, Aapda Mitra Volunteers are carrying out rescue and relief operation simultaneously. As of now 7 Relief Camps have been opened and rescued people are taking shelter.

Water level in the rivers are showing rising trend wherein Howrah river in Agartala city and Juri river in Dharmanagar are flowing above warning level.

Actions taken by the Administration:

1. On receipt of warning from IMD, all DM & Collectors have been advised to take immediate preparedness measures on 10 key activities which are as follows:
   1. Start operating pumps in inundated areas to extract flood water.
   2. Alert NDRF/SDRF/TSR/Fire & ES /Trained Volunteers and QRTs and identify the locations where to respond. If needed press them to action immediately.
   3. Keep ready the equipment like boats, life jackets and other flood rescue items.
   4. Monitoring of river flows, embankments and catchment areas and take immediate preventive and preparedness measures.
   5. Evacuate people from low lying areas to the safe shelters and start providing relief if needed.
   6. Make immediate damage assessment and report to SEOC by 4PM along with information of action taken.
   7. Response teams/ line depts to take immediate action for removing debris and restoring essential services.
   8. Depute officers / key officials for specific response.
   9. If needed, keep standby trained volunteers for rescue, relief etc.
   10. Need based response to be taken up immediately as per disaster management plan.

Chief Minister, Tripura reviewed the situation with senior officials, visited ICCC and pump houses, advised the Hon’ble Mayor and Commissioner, AMC for taking immediate measures for dewatering rainwater, rescue & relief operation and damage assessment etc. DGP was also advised to monitor the traffic. The review will continue on need basis from time to time. Chief Minster has appealed all citizens of Tripura not to be panic. All necessary measures are being taken by the State Administration to reduce the impact of flood like situations in the State.

1. 6 teams in Agartala city have been engaged for rescue operation. Out of them, 3 teams from CD Volunteers, 1 team from Fire & ES, 1 from SDRF and 1 from NDRF.
2. Adequate boats and critical equipments are available with the District, Sub-divisions, TSR Bns, Fire Services and NDRF which are being used by the teams for search and rescue purposes.
3. So far, 7 Relief Camps have been opened and rescued people are taking shelter. The name of the relief camps are as follows:
   1. Radhamadhab Mandir, Radhanagar
   2. Indranagar School
   3. Gitarban Community Hall
   4. Kasmali School, Rishi Colony
   5. Mulapara School, Ramnagar
   6. Daspara Anadi School
   7. Pratapgarh School

SDM Sadar also identified Maharani Tulsibati School to be one of the relief camps.

1. Immediately food packets (400 nos.) have been arranged by the DM West and SDM Sadar for inmates of relief camps. They have been advised to increase the food packets as per the need.
2. 16 pumps in Agartala city are working to dewater the rainwater from low lying areas. In addition, 6 mobile diesel pumps are also being used by AMC at strategic locations.
3. 24×7 basis toll free numbers have been publicized for extending help and they are as follows:
   1. District Emergency Operation Centre-1077
   2. AMC Whatsapp number-9863201665
   3. State Emergency Operation Centre-1070
   4. ERSS-112
   5. CMs Helpline – 1905
   6. Electricity Call Centre – 1912 and 9863596083
4. All schools have been closed for 18 June 2022 apprehending heavy rain.
5. Fire & Emergency Services rescued 37 students of Auxilium School from the bus which was stuck at Bidurkarta Chowmuhani.
6. Press briefing was done at 7PM by the Principal Secretary, Revenue at Secretariat to brief the media on the situation and to advise public not to be panic.
7. Forecasting, nowcasting and alerts are being shared to the public through social media and by using Smart City display system.
8. All ongoing volunteers’ trainings are being halted and advised the volunteers to engage in rescue and relief operations as and when required by the administrations.
9. Adequate funds under SDRF is available with the DMs and SDMs for immediate relief, rescue, restoration and reconstruction purposes.
10. If rain halts, it is expected that all flood water will be pumped and drained by next 2-3 hours and the roads will motorable.