Tripura Braces for Fresh Round of Torrential Rains as IMD Issues Red and Orange Alerts Across the State
Tripura is once again on high alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a new wave of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and squally winds, across the state until May 31. The warning comes just a year after the devastating 2024 monsoon floods that displaced thousands and left a trail of destruction across large parts of the state.
This time, the IMD has issued a red alert—the highest level of weather warning—for West Tripura and Khowai districts, forecasting isolated extremely heavy rainfall (exceeding 20 cm) and squally winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h, gusting up to 60 km/h. An orange alert, which signals the potential for significant weather disruption, has also been issued for North Tripura, Dhalai, Sepahijala, Gomati, and South Tripura districts.
According to the IMD’s press release issued on May 28, the forecast period for red and orange alerts extends from 08:30 a.m. on May 29 to 08:30 a.m. on May 31, with rain likely to continue in diminished intensity until June 1 under a yellow alert.
The current weather system is attributed to a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast, which continues to persist and is expected to intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours. The system is supported by a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, and as it gradually moves northwards, its influence is expected to extend deep into northeastern India, particularly impacting Tripura.
Forecast Details by Region
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May 29–30:
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Red Alert (West Tripura and Khowai): Very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm) at a few places, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20 cm) likely. Thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds of 40–50 km/h (gusting to 60 km/h) predicted.
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Orange Alert (Other districts): Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm) likely, with thunderstorms and gusty winds in some areas.
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May 30–31:
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Orange Alert (North, Dhalai, Sepahijala, Gomati, South Tripura): Continued heavy to very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm), thunderstorms with lightning, and gusty winds reaching 60 km/h.
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Yellow Alert (Remaining districts): Heavy rainfall (7–11 cm) at isolated locations with gusty winds.
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May 31–June 1:
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Yellow Alert (North, Unakoti, and Dhalai): Heavy rainfall likely at a few places, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km/h.
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2024 Floods: A Painful Memory
The heightened alert comes less than a year after Tripura suffered one of its worst flood disasters in 2024, when incessant rains led to the overflow of major rivers like the Haora and Manu. The June 2024 deluge submerged vast tracts of Agartala, Khowai, and Udaipur, causing landslides in hilly areas and displacing thousands of families, particularly in tribal and low-lying regions. Critical infrastructure was severely affected—roads were washed away, power lines collapsed, and relief operations took weeks to stabilize the situation.
The state administration is now racing against time to avoid a repeat of last year’s chaos. Emergency services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration units have been placed on high alert. Nodal officers have been directed to remain in their respective areas, and shelters have been readied in flood-prone zones.
Impact due to Rains as expected :
Visibility may become poor due to intense spell of
rainfall leading to traffic congestion.
Temporary Disruption of traffic due to water logging in
roads/ uprooting of trees/ breaking of tree branches
leading to increased travel time.
Possibility of damages to vulnerable structures due to
heavy to very heavy rain
Partial Damages to Kutcha Houses and Huts due to
uprooting of trees.
Possibilities of Flash floods due to intense spell of
rainfall.
Water logging / flooding in low lying areas.
Landslides/mud slide/land slip in some locations very
likely.
Heavy rainfall may damage the standing crops and
vegetables in the maturity stage.
Dispersion of soil from the field and hence seed
displacement and poor germination of seeds.
Administration Advices :
Follow any traffic advisories.
Avoid going to areas that face water logging problem
often.
Avoid staying in landslide prone areas.
Propping of the vegetable pandals recommended.
Take shelter during thunderstorm/lightning activities.
Provide mulch at the base of the crop to prevent soil
and root damage.
Avoid working in the fields during
thunderstorm/lightning period and ensure proper
mechanism to avoid runoff in case of rain.
Postpone sowing of rice, jute, maize and vegetables; if
already sown, avoid water stagnation in the field and
cover the seeded area with natural mulching materials
like straw, farm residues etc
For Thunderstorm Impact as anticipated
Lightning may injure people and cattle at
open place.
Strong wind and hail may damage to
plantation, horticulture and standing crops
Hail may injure people and cattle at open
place.
Partial/Major damage to vulnerable
structures due to strong winds.
Minor/Major damage to kutcha
houses/walls and huts.
Loose object like rooftop may be
damage/fly.
Community services may be affected.
Partial/Major damage to power &
communication line.
Trees may uproot, breaking of branches
and major damage to papaya and Banana
trees.
Administration Advices
Stay indoors, close windows & doors and
avoid travel if possible.
Avoid staying in vulnerable structures.
Take safe shelters, do not take shelter under
trees.
Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean
against concrete walls.
Unplug electrical/ electronic appliances
Immediately get out of water bodies.
Keep away from all the objects that conduct
electricity.
Farming operations may be suspended
during the event.
The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) had earlier begun precautionary inspections of power substations and transmission lines in vulnerable districts, aiming to avoid prolonged outages similar to those experienced last year.
|Also Read : IMD Report
Looking Ahead
With only days left in May, a month already marked by increasing pre-monsoon activity, the eyes of the state are on the skies. The memory of 2024 lingers fresh in the minds of both the administration and the public. Authorities have promised a swift and coordinated response, but with nature’s unpredictability, the coming days will test the resilience of both governance and the people of Tripura.
As the situation develops, the IMD and disaster management officials will continue to issue updated warnings, and the public is advised to stay alert and follow official directives closely.
|Also Read : IMD warns of heavy rains in several states; heatwave likely in west Rajasthan –|
|ALso Read : Heavy Rains, Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Damage in Tripura|
