Agartala: Intermittent, yet often intense, rainfall brought normal life to a grinding halt across Tripura on Friday, as a red alert was declared for Sepahijala, West Tripura, and Khowai districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a stark warning, predicting a continuation of severe weather conditions over the next 24 hours, prompting state authorities to escalate their preparedness.
The inclement weather, attributed to a deep depression brewing over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to unleash heavy to very heavy rainfall, coupled with squally winds gusting at speeds of 50-60 kmph. While all eight districts of the state have experienced varying degrees of rainfall, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that, as of now, no major untoward incidents have been reported, much to the relief of residents and officials alike.
An SDMA official, providing an update on the situation, noted, “Despite intermittent downpour there was no report of flood.” He further assured the public that district administrations are operating on a heightened state of alert, fully prepared to tackle any unforeseen circumstances that might arise from potential flooding. Their proactive stance aims to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of the populace.
Agartala, the state capital, recorded a significant 25 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, transforming streets into temporary rivulets and prompting many to stay indoors. While air travel faced initial disruptions with two flights from Kolkata to Agartala being cancelled on Thursday, operations had thankfully resumed to normalcy on Friday, as confirmed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), offering a sigh of relief to stranded passengers.
An AAI official reiterated the IMD’s forecast, stating, “The downpour would continue on Friday as already predicted by the India Meteorological Department,” attributing the relentless showers to the prevailing weather system over the Bay of Bengal. Residents across the state largely chose to remain indoors, with daily routines significantly impacted by the sporadic downpour. Encouragingly, no damage to property or loss of life has been reported thus far, showcasing the resilience of the state and the effectiveness of early warnings.
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