India – Floods in Tripura Leave 15 Dead, Thousands Displaced

Fifteen people have lost their lives and thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes after flooding in the north-east Indian state of Tripura.

Rain has affected parts of the state since early May and state disaster management officials said that a total of 15 people have died in floods and landslides, with 24 injured and 11,704 displaced. Local media said that the overflowing Haora (Howrah) and Gumti (Gomati) rivers have forced many to evacuate their homes. Forty-five relief camps have been set up to house those displaced.

A storm on 06 to 07 May caused widespread damage in parts of West Tripura. However, most of the fatalities and evacuations across the state occurred from 17 May, 2018 after monsoon rain intensified.

The worst hit area is the district of West Tripura, where 6 people have died and around 4,500 people have evacuated their homes. Wide areas of the state capital, Agartala, have been flooded.

Other fatalities occurred in Dhalai (2), Gomati (4), Khowai (2) and Sipahijala (1). The districts of South Tripura, Unakoti and North Tripura have also been affected.

As of 21 May, 1,236 houses had been completely destroyed, with 620 those in West Tripura and 343 in Unakoti. A total of 4,222 houses have been severely damaged since 01 May, 1784 of them in West Tripura, 722 in Dhalai, 638 in Unakoti and 510 in Khowai.

District officials said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, fire service, civil defence and volunteers were working to provide assistance to those affected. The state’s Chief Minister, Biplab Kumar Deb, and the Education Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, have both visited affected areas.

Social Media

#NDRF conducted SAR Operation at Chanderpur (Tripura) where water logging from Hora River took place. 411 evacuated to safer places.

— NDRF (@NDRFHQ) May 21, 2018

Shri Nath assured the residents that the Government of #Tripura stands with them in their need of the hour and assured them of all possible help from the State Government. pic.twitter.com/uYNNqsr1z5

— My Govt Tripura (@MyGovtTripura) May 20, 2018

Glimpses of rescue and relief operations being carried out by #tripurastaterifles disaster management team in flood affected areas at Agartala. #tripurapolice pic.twitter.com/KfFkgxjvef

— Tripura Police (@Tripura_Police) May 18, 2018

Visiting flood affected area of Banmalipura, Agartala and Interacting door to door with flood affected people to ensure relief work. pic.twitter.com/mZO8pEjEuS

— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) May 18, 2018

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