Howrah River crosses danger level after heavy rainfall, inundating Baldakhal, Khayerpur and nearby areas as rescue teams evacuate families and relief camps prepare essential supplies.
The Howrah River swelled above the danger level following continuous rainfall, triggering a serious flood situation in several parts of Khayerpur constituency and adjoining areas of West Tripura. Baldakhal emerged as one of the worst-affected zones, with floodwaters entering homes, roads, marketplaces and low-lying neighbourhoods, disrupting normal life and forcing several families to move to safer locations.
The flood situation began deteriorating from the early hours of Sunday as residents witnessed a sudden rise in water levels. The rapid increase left many families scrambling to protect essential belongings and move vulnerable members to safer places. Residents said the water rose unexpectedly before dawn, creating panic across several flood-prone localities.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited flood-affected areas along with West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak and Disaster Management official Dr. Sarat Das. During the visit, the Chief Minister met affected families and directed officials to ensure that all possible assistance was provided by the state government.
The Chief Minister also visited flood-affected areas near Ashram Chowmuhani in West Tripura district following incessant rainfall. He later interacted with people who had taken shelter at Vivekananda School in Bordowali and took stock of their situation. Dr. Saha assured the affected residents of necessary administrative assistance and said the government and administration were working on a war footing to ensure their safety and well-being.
Floodwaters have spread beyond Baldakhal, affecting areas including Ranirbazar, Chaturdasha Devata Bari and several other vulnerable pockets located along the Howrah River and nearby waterways. Heavy rainfall on Saturday further aggravated the situation, causing extensive waterlogging in Aralia, Chandrapur and Baldakhal.
Several roads have been submerged, severely affecting transportation and daily movement. In some locations, rapidly rising water from rivers and canals entered residential areas, cattle sheds and marketplaces. The flooding has also increased concerns about the safety of children, elderly people, patients and other vulnerable residents.
The administration has launched extensive rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. District officials said boats have been deployed to reach waterlogged localities and assist residents in moving to safer shelters. Rescue teams are also helping families who are unable to leave their homes because of the depth and speed of the floodwaters.
Jirania Sub-Divisional Magistrate Animesh Dhar said heavy rainfall during the previous night caused sudden flooding across several areas. He said rescue teams had already evacuated many families, including children and particularly vulnerable people.
Among those rescued were a three-day-old infant, a physically challenged person and a stroke patient, highlighting the urgency of the ongoing rescue operations. Authorities are maintaining close contact with affected communities and are monitoring the river and surrounding low-lying areas.
Four relief camps have been opened across the Jirania subdivision. People have already taken shelter at camps in Mandai and Old Agartala, while relief centres at Chandrapur and Ranirbazar have been kept on standby. Essential supplies, including food, milk for children and medicines, have been stocked at the camps to meet the immediate needs of displaced families.
Rescue operations are being jointly conducted by civil defence personnel, Scouts, Tripura State Rifles battalions and National Disaster Response Force units. Five boats are currently operating in the affected areas, while another boat has been kept ready for emergency deployment.
According to the Jirania SDM, the river water level was hovering around 10.86 metres, leaving authorities on high alert as it remained dangerously close to the red mark. Officials said rescue teams would continue operating in vulnerable areas until the water level recedes and conditions become safer.
MLA Ratan Chakraborty also visited flood-hit areas including Chandrapur, Baldakhal and Sri Lanka Basti with senior officials. He said Khayerpur constituency was among the worst-affected areas, with floodwaters entering Moriamnagar, Kalinagar, Briddhinagar and parts of Debatabari.
Chakraborty pointed out that several areas in the constituency face flooding almost every year. He said the administration had kept boats and relief teams ready in anticipation of the situation and that several sick people and children had already been rescued.
The MLA also said that although many families had already been shifted to safer locations, some residents remained reluctant to move to relief camps. Officials and local representatives are reportedly persuading such families to relocate, while assuring them that food and other essential supplies are available at the shelters.
Meanwhile, residents have called for more effective advance flood warnings, safer shelters and adequate stocks of relief materials, particularly for families living in vulnerable riverbank and low-lying areas.
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The administration has stressed that although rainfall has eased in some areas, the Howrah River remains swollen. Officials are keeping a close watch on water levels, particularly because further rainfall in the hills could result in another sudden rise in the river and worsen the flooding.
The unfolding situation in Khayerpur and adjoining areas has once again highlighted the vulnerability of riverbank communities to sudden flooding following intense rainfall. With several localities already inundated and rescue operations continuing, the next few hours remain critical for authorities and residents.
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Officials have urged people in vulnerable areas to remain alert, follow evacuation instructions and cooperate with rescue teams. The administration has assured that necessary relief, rescue and emergency support will continue until the flood situation improves and affected families can safely return to their homes.
