By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 11, 2024
Agartala, Sept 11 (FD) Providing the latest updates on the floods in Tripura today, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey stated that, as of now, 67 relief camps are still operational in various districts, providing shelter to 3,873 people. The District Administration is offering necessary relief, including food, drinking water, and medical assistance. To prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, regular cleaning of toilets, bleaching, disinfectant spraying, and maintaining a hygienic environment are being carried out.
During a press conference held at the state secretariat, Pandey also reported that a total of 36 people have lost their lives, with 1 person still missing. Out of the 36 deaths, 22 were due to landslides, 13 from drowning, and 1 due to a house collapse. The breakdown is as follows: 23 males, 7 females, and 6 children. Full compensation has been provided in 26 out of the 36 cases, with Rs. 4 lakh disbursed per case. In 7 cases, partial payments have been made. Overall, Rs. 104.85 lakh has been distributed as ex-gratia, and the remaining payments will be completed soon.
Due to the recent rains and floods, a total of 62,205 houses have been reported as damaged, including 8,830 houses that were completely destroyed and 8,978 that were severely damaged. Interim relief has been provided to 10,483 households, amounting to Rs. 11.92 crores. Free rations of 10 kg per ration card for two months, as announced under the Chief Minister’s Relief Package, will be distributed within the next 10 days. In the education sector, all schools and colleges are operational, and attendance in schools has returned to normal levels. Around 20,000 books have been distributed to students in different schools, and Mid-Day Meal kitchens are running in all schools.
Pandey further stated that out of the 1,664 damaged roads, restoration work on 81 roads has been completed, work on 187 roads is ongoing, tenders for 553 roads are in progress, and estimates for 843 roads are being prepared. The Public Works Department (PWD) aims to complete major road restoration and repairs by October 5, 2024. Out of the 1,136 damaged lift irrigation schemes, 140 have been restored, and work is ongoing for 426. It is planned that 972 schemes will be restored before the winter cropping season. The drinking water supply from piped water is functional in approximately 98% of households. The remaining households in Jirania, Bishalgarh, Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia, and Sabroom (96–98%) will have access to piped water within a week. So far, the Health Department has conducted 2,632 camps and treated 1,10,289 people in flood-affected areas. There has been no outbreak of waterborne or skin diseases in the state, and sufficient quantities of medicines are available. The Power Department has restored power to all subdivisions and divisions. Amarpur, Santirbazar, Sabroom, and Udaipur have achieved 95–98% restoration, with full restoration expected this week.
The Revenue Secretary mentioned that Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha held a review meeting at 4:00 pm at the Civil Secretariat to discuss post-flood relief and restoration activities. The Chief Secretary, PCCF, Tripura, Secretary of Revenue, Relief, and Disaster Management, as well as Secretaries and Directors of various departments, were present. During the meeting, the Chief Minister commended the exemplary work of officials from all departments and district collectors for providing immediate relief and rescue efforts. He noted that the administration’s teamwork, dubbed 'Team Tripura,' made these efforts possible. The Chief Minister has directed the continuation of restoration work with the same energy and speed as demonstrated during the relief and rescue operations. No department reported a shortage of funds; instead, they expressed satisfaction with the availability of resources for restoration works. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to ensure the provision of quality food, health care, and hygiene in the relief camps until people can return to their homes. He urged for the ex-gratia payments for the remaining death cases to be completed within this week, the compensation process for damaged houses to be expedited, and the final damage assessment memorandum to be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, within this week. He further directed the departments to develop medium- and long-term action plans for restoration efforts.
Earlier in the Assembly, the Chief Minister announced a financial package of Rs. 564 crores for immediate relief and restoration activities. During the meeting on August 27, 2024, departments had requested the release of funds for immediate relief and restoration. Subsequently, departmental secretaries made presentations before the Cabinet on August 30, 2024, requesting financial resources for these activities. Based on the requests from each department, the financial package was formulated in consultation with the respective departments and finalized with input from the Finance Department.
Among those present at the press meet were Project Officer of the State Disaster Management, Sarat Chandra Das, and Director of Relief, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Department, J. V. Doati.