Tripura Rains: 7 Dead, Relief Camps Opened As CM Saha Surveys Flooded Areas, Rahul Gandhi Expresses Concern

Tripura chief minister Manik Saha visited the flood-affected areas in Tripura’s capital city Agartala and adjoining areas on Wednesday as the state received very heavy rainfall over the last three days. He also met families who have been shifted to relief camps and shelter houses as low-lying areas in the city and other parts of the state witnessed flooding due to the heavy rains.

“Conducted an on-ground assessment of the flood-affected areas in Agartala and visited shelter houses to take stock of the situation and ensure timely support to those in need," chief minister Saha said in a post on social media site X.

He said that he spoke to home minister Amit Shah requesting him to dispatch additional NDRF teams to support the state’s flood response efforts.

The chief minister also shared pictures of him meeting families who have shifted to the relief camps and shelter houses who shifted there due to rising water levels. A report by the Indian Express said that over 34,000 people across the state sought shelter in over 346 relief camps opened across the state.

At least seven people, including three members of a family, were killed while two villagers went missing after landslides triggered by incessant rains occurred at three to four places in Tripura, a senior official said earlier on Tuesday.

While five deaths were reported from South Tripura district, one casualty each was reported from Gomati and Khowai districts, Revenue Department Secretary Brijesh Pandey said.

The chief minister earlier said that schools will remain closed on August 21 and August 22 due to the heavy rainfall that the state has received.

The Met Department has issued a warning for more heavy rains due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal. Four rivers of the state – Haora, Dhalai, Muhuri, and Khowai – are flowing above the danger-level.

Southern Tripura’s Bagafa, Belonia and Amarpur received very heavy rainfall and areas like Shantirbazar witnessed flash floods.

Parts of Agartala city were also temporarily flooded due to the heavy rainfall. Farmers in suburbs of Agartala expressed concern that the incessant rains could cause serious damage to the crops.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the flood situation caused by heavy rainfall in Tripura and urged the Centre and the state government to put in place immediate relief-and-rehabilitation measures.

They also urged Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance to the people in distress.

“Deeply concerned about the flood situation caused by heavy rainfall in Tripura where many people have lost their lives, and about 5,600 families have sought refuge in relief camps. Our deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved. They must be provided compensation at the earliest," Kharge said in a post on X.

The central and state governments must put in place immediate relief-and-rehabilitation measures, he said.

“More NDRF and SDRF teams must be deployed in the flood-affected areas. Food and medical help must be urgently provided. I urge the Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance to the people in distress," Kharge said.

Gandhi said his thoughts are with his brothers and sisters in Tripura, who have been forced to seek refuge in relief camps due to the devastating floods caused by relentless rains and landslides.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. It is crucial that both the Union and state governments urgently implement a comprehensive action plan to accelerate rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and ensure adequate compensation for those affected," the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a Facebook post.

“I strongly urge Congress leaders and workers to offer their full support in any way possible. Please take care, everyone. We stand with you in this challenging time," Gandhi said.

(with inputs from PTI)