Agartala: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Tripura till July 16, prompting the state government to suspend classes in West and Sepahijala districts, while the West Tripura district administration issued a traffic advisory and authorities reviewed flood protection measures in vulnerable areas.
In a weather bulletin issued at 12:30 pm, the Meteorological Centre, Agartala, forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 20 cm at one or two places in West and Sepahijala districts till 8:30 am on Tuesday.
Heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 11 cm is also likely at isolated places in the remaining districts during the same period.
The IMD said heavy rainfall is expected to continue over West, Sepahijala, Gomati and South districts from July 14 to July 17, while Khowai district is also likely to receive heavy rain on July 14 and 15.
According to the IMD, the prevailing weather has been triggered by the monsoon trough extending from northwestern India to Manipur, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Bangladesh, another cyclonic circulation over east Bangladesh, and a trough extending from northwest Bihar to Manipur across east Bangladesh and Tripura.
The department warned that heavy rainfall could cause flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas, disruption of road traffic, temporary road closures, landslides in vulnerable locations, damage to infrastructure and crops, and power outages.
It advised authorities to keep emergency services on alert, monitor landslide-prone areas, undertake road clearance operations, issue evacuation advisories where necessary, and set up temporary shelters in vulnerable locations.
During the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Monday, the highest rainfall was recorded at the District Magistrate’s Office in West Tripura at 138 mm, followed by Bishramganj in Sepahijala district at 116 mm. KVK-South recorded 85 mm, while Amarpur in Gomati district received 61.3 mm of rainfall.
In view of the prevailing weather conditions, the School Education Department suspended classes in all government, government-aided and private schools in West and Sepahijala districts on Monday in the interest of students’ safety.
The West Tripura district administration also advised people not to use the Katakhal embankment and the Durgachowmuhani-Pragati backside road until further orders, citing the risk of embankment failure, waterlogging and other rain-related hazards.
Residents, commuters and vehicle operators have been asked to use alternative routes.
Meanwhile, South Tripura District Magistrate Mohammed Sajad P inspected the 15-km flood-control embankment along the Muhuri River in Belonia and said around 80 per cent of the work had been completed.
He said the remaining work would be completed before the festive season and that concerns regarding subsidence at certain stretches had been noted.
Officials of the Water Resources Department said permanent repairs would be carried out after the monsoon, while vulnerable portions would be strengthened with brick soling and retaining walls.
The district administration said the project was being monitored as part of flood preparedness measures following last year’s floods.