With at least seven more persons of two families, including three women and a child, killed in landslides, the toll due to the current rains and floods in Tripura, which witnessed such catastrophic monsoon floods for the first time in over three decades, has risen to 20, officials said on Thursday.
Disaster Management officials said that seven members of two families died at Santirbazar in South Tripura district when their houses collapsed due to a massive landslide triggered by incessant rain late on Wednesday night.
Disaster Management Response Force personnel, along with local people, recovered all the bodies on Thursday.
Expressing his shock at the incident, Chief Minister Manik Saha said that the state government would provide Rs 4 lakh as financial assistance to each affected family.
Earlier 13 deaths, including that of a 12-year-old girl and a woman, were reported from South Tripura, Gomati, and Khowai districts since Monday and two persons were also said to be missing.
An official said that around 65,500 people are taking shelter in 450 relief camps in all eight districts. He said that 17 lakh people were affected in the entire state, which witnessed the devastating floods since Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 233 mm rainfall in Agartala from 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday to 8.30 a.m. on Thursday.
According to IMD, all eight districts in Tripura received one of the highest levels of rainfall in the last 24 hours on Thursday with South Tripura district’s Bogafa, under the Santirbazar sub-division, recording 493.6 mm rainfall.
An IMD official said that though a 'heavy’ to ‘very heavy' rainfall alert has been continued and a 'Red alert' sounded in all eight districts, the intensity of rain is likely to reduce from Thursday night.
Tripura Govt contemplating to boost tourism: Minister Sushanta Chowdhury
The state transport and tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Thursday said that the government is contemplating to make tourism as an alternate means of livelihood in the state. Adequate fund has been allocated for further developing the tourism sector, he added.
Imports from B’desh to Tripura increase, exports largely decline: Minister
Imports from Bangladesh into Tripura increased but exports from the northeastern state of India to the neighbouring country substantially declined, state Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma told the Assembly on Thursday.
67 percent households in AMC areas connected with drinking water supply: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday claimed that at least 67% households were connected with drinking water supply in the areas of Agartala Municipal Corporation.
Boy drowns in Muhuri River during Baruni bathing ritual
In a tragic incident, Sayan Pal (18), a 12th-standard student from Arya Colony, Belonia, drowned in the Muhuri River while participating in the holy Baruni bathing ritual on Wednesday afternoon.
Innovative projects launched to supply drinking water from Dumbur: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that several innovative projects have been set up based on the reserved water of the Dumbur water reservoir, making it possible to provide drinking water connections to many families through pipelines.
Govt undertaken measures to increase Howrah river’s navigability: Tripura CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the state government has undertaken a series of measures to permanently address flooding in Agartala city by increasing the navigability of the Howrah River.
Tripura Assembly witnesses spat over minister's 'racist' remark against LoP
The Tripura Assembly witnessed a noisy scene for the fourth day on Thursday over Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath's alleged racist remarks against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury.
Centre Releases Rs 240.5 Crore to Tripura for Urban Planning Reforms
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that the Ministry of Finance has released Rs 240.5 crores to Tripura for achieving urban planning reforms.