By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 27, 2024
Agartala, Aug 27 (FD) To provide further updates on the flood situation in the state, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey informed during a press conference today that while the state has experienced comparatively less rainfall since August 24, the water level of the Gomati River in Sonamura remains above the critical level.
In the presence of PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte and Power Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey stated during a press conference at Agartala Press Club that 492 relief camps are currently operational under the District Administration, providing shelter to over 72,000 people across the state. The District Administration continues to provide essential relief, including food, drinking water, and medical assistance in these camps. Clothes have also been distributed to approximately 300 needy individuals in Amarpur and Karbook Sub-Divisions. Six teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in relief operations in Gomati and Sepahijala districts. Around 500 volunteers from Civil Defense and Aapda Mitra are also involved in the relief efforts. A total of 31 people have lost their lives, 2 individuals have been injured, and 1 person is reported missing.
Secretary Pandey added that the situation is being closely monitored at the highest level. This morning, the Secretary of RR & DM reviewed the flood situation with all the District Magistrates and Collectors. Subsequently, the Chief Minister, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, held a review meeting on the flood situation today at 05:30 PM. The Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, PCCF, Secretary of RR & DM, and Secretaries of all departments, along with Directors of key departments, were present at the meeting. The main issues discussed included providing drinking water to all flood-affected areas, health and hygiene, sanitation, reopening educational institutions and Anganwadi Centres, restoring power lines, conducting a comprehensive damage assessment by all departments, establishing a single-window system for issuing duplicate certificates like PRTC, Board Exam, SC & ST Welfare Certificates, etc., damaged in the flood, and releasing ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased and injured, as well as compensating for damaged houses.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to provide immediate relief and expedite restoration activities as a priority. He also emphasized ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in the relief camps and advised the Health Department to keep sufficient stock of bleaching powder and halogen tablets, with the option to procure them from neighboring states if necessary.
In the press conference, Revenue Secretary Pandey further stated that 977 out of 3,273 drinking water schemes have been restored so far. The remaining drinking water sources are also being urgently repaired. It is being ensured that all drinking water sources are tested for quality and compliance with BIS standards. District Magistrates have been directed to provide safe drinking water through water tankers whenever required. To address the health impact of the floods, doctors have visited relief camps 1,207 times, treated 35,993 individuals, and conducted 1,799 health camps serving 42,800 people. To carry out disinfection and anti-diarrhea measures, the Health Department will procure 2,000 bags of bleaching powder, 200,000 ORS packets, large quantities of halogen tablets, zinc tablets, fever medicines, lotions, and other essential supplies.
Secretary Pandey also informed that, at the State Government's request, the Government of India is sending an advance Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) led by B. C. Joshi, Joint Secretary (Foreigners Division), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. The IMCT includes representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Expenditure (Ministry of Finance), Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources), Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The team will arrive in Tripura tomorrow, August 28, for an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation.
A committee headed by Prashant Badal Negi, Director of the Tourism Department, along with officers from other departments, has been constituted to coordinate with NGOs for the collection and redistribution of relief materials received as donations from various organizations. The Relief, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management Department of the Government of Tripura has released Rs. 69 crores to eight districts and Rs. 5 crores each to the Agriculture and Power Departments, bringing the total release of funds to Rs. 79 crores.