At least 840 people from 250 families moved to 16 relief camps, mostly in the Santirbazar and Belonia subdivisions of South Tripura district, as heavy rain lashed different parts of Tripura on Wednesday, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) said.
A report from the SEOC did not mention any damage to houses, or uprooted trees and electric poles. No casualties were reported either, though a drowning death was reported in West Tripura district on July 4.
Reports from different parts of Gomati and Sepahijala districts suggest water levels in rivers and streams are rising following heavy rain. The water level in the Muhuri river crossed the critical level, though it was said to have come down from the previous danger mark, even as the downpour continues to add volume to the river.
The Lawgang, Feni, and other rivers in South Tripura district are flowing below expected flood levels. Water in rivers in North Tripura and Dhalai districts, like the Juri and the Manu, was flowing above the expected flood level. In Sepahijala district, the Bijoy river was flowing above expected flood level.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in South Tripura, with isolated very heavy rainfall likely in a few parts of the district. Similar weather predictions have been issued for Gomati, Sepahijala, and West Tripura districts.
Last year devastating floods claimed 38 lives apart from affecting over 17 lakh people and causing damage worth Rs 15,000 crore.
The government held coordinated early-preparedness mock drills across the state on Wednesday. The drills involved personnel from the Incident Response System (IRS); NDRF; SDRF; Army; Assam Rifles; BSF; CRPF; public sector undertakings ONGC, GAIL, NEEPCO, TNGCL and OTPC; and NGOs, as well as civil defence, Aapda Mitra, and community volunteers.
