Deepavali celebrations have been severely affected and a sense of uncertainty and anticipation prevails across the state as Cyclone Sitrang continued with its menacing move towards Tripura. The cyclone as IMD had predicted already cast its spell with day long drizzling and occasional gutsy wind.
The state government had already put in place all required arrangements for evacuation, rescue and relief for the citizens with all concerned departments getting involved and their heads personally monitoring the situation.
While additional five teams of NDRF arrived at the state this noon, the SDM Sadar in an order instructed the employees barring those engaged with emergency services, to work from home on October 25-the day the Sitrang was anticipated to be at its worst. The day already witnessed thin vehicular movements, and with the fresh guidelines restricting movements in the open coming out from the administration by night fall the rain soaked city roads turned deserted. The Deepavali night became the opposite-the night of apprehension and anticipation as citizens stayed homebound. The traders and road side shops, restaurants , food courts that thought of doing some good business during Deepavali nights had to shut their doors.
Till filing this report 7.45 pm Cyclone Sitrang did not reach the state with its full fury but the gutsy wind started blowing. The IMD predicted that heavy to Extremely heavy rains would lash out at the state—across all the districts – though out the night and would start reducing from October 25 noon.
Since there were chances of flooding in low lying areas, riverside dwellings and collapses of mudwall huts, landslides the government machineries took all preparations. Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha is being informed with developments while senior bureaucrats and police officials were monitoring the situation. The Army and para military forces were also kept informed and would be called if so required by the state government.
