TRIPURA: Cyclone storm damages 800 houses in Tripura; official says, immediate relief measures rolled out

The cyclone storm ‘Kalboishakhi’ accompanied by heavy showers in Tripura damaged around 800 houses, while several roads were blocked after trees were uprooted across the seven districts of the state. Immediate response and relief measures were rolled out to restore the situation, said an official on Monday.

Addressing a press conference here in the conference hall of the civil secretariat on Monday, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey said 800 houses were affected by the sudden thunderstorms, hail, heavy downpour and lightning in the last two days. As many as 62 houses were fully damaged, 161 were severely damaged and 577 were partly damaged.

He said, “There were reports of blockades in 42 locations due to felling of trees, electric poles and electric transmission lines. Two persons died in Gomati district out of which one was confirmed to be a case of lightning strike.” He however said that the quick response team is working on this and relief measures were rolled out to everyone affected and all blockades caused by uprooted trees, electric poles were cleared.

The district disaster management authorities have taken immediate steps to mitigate the impact of the cyclone – ‘Kalboishakhi’ and provided immediate response and relief measures to people in accordance with the model code of conduct guidelines, he told reporters.

He also said that two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed on the ground to manage any further disruptions. The state disaster management authorities have Rs 55.38 crore at their disposal, he said, adding that Rs 4 lakh would be paid to the families of each of the deceased persons, Rs 1.20 lakh would be paid for fully and severely damaged houses in the plains and Rs 1.30 lakh compensation would be provided for similar damages in hilly terrain, Rs 65,000 compensation would be extended to partly damaged pucca houses, and Rs 4000 given for partly damaged kachha houses while the government would provide Rs 8,000 for damaged or fully destroyed huts.