AGARTALA: In the aftermath of the cyclonic storm that struck Tripura on March 30 and 31, causing extensive damage to 800 houses across seven districts, excluding North Tripura district, the Tripura state disaster response fund (SDRF) has sprung into action.
Brijesh Pandey, secretary of the Tripura revenue (relief, rehabilitation, and disaster management) department, announced that Rs 55.38 crores from the SDRF have been promptly allocated to all district authorities in the state to facilitate immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Dubbed locally as Norwester, the cyclone inflicted varying degrees of damage to the houses, with 62 being completely destroyed, 161 severely damaged, and 577 partially affected.
Additionally, 42 locations faced blockades due to fallen trees, electric poles, and wires.
Tragically, one casualty was reported in Udaipur Sub-Division due to lightning, while power supply disruptions affected 205 areas.
Quick response teams have been deployed to clear debris, restore power lines, and assess damages.
Immediate relief has been extended to over 50 affected families, with interim assistance ranging from four to five thousand rupees per family.
Efforts are underway to provide relief to the remaining affected families within the next one or two days, with all road blockades already cleared.
Notably, the engagement of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) facilitated the clearance of roads in Champamura of Sepahijala district of Tripura.
The Tripura power department has been tirelessly working to restore electricity in the affected areas, achieving significant progress.
Furthermore, a relief camp has been established in Teliamura RD Block under Khowai district of Tripura to accommodate seven families, comprising 23 individuals, with immediate assistance provided by Khowai district authorities.
Pandey emphasized that all district authorities have been equipped with sufficient funds from the SDRF to undertake prompt relief and rehabilitation measures.
Weather forecasts and updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) are being disseminated to the public through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), with state and district emergency operation centres operating around the clock.
Advance preparations have been made to tackle any potential challenges arising from future weather events, with comprehensive preparatory meetings held at both state and district levels.
Despite the significant devastation caused by the cyclonic storm, the coordinated efforts of various agencies and authorities, supported by adequate funding and proactive measures, underscore Tripura’s preparedness to effectively confront and mitigate such calamities.