Agartala, August 21, 2024: Upon returning from New Delhi on Wednesday evening, Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha swiftly convened an emergency review meeting to assess the ongoing flood situation in the state. The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s War Room located in the Tripura Institution for Transformation office on Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Lane in Agartala city, reflecting the gravity of the crisis.
Heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours has inundated various districts of Tripura, prompting the state administration to spring into action. The Chief Minister, visibly concerned about the challenges posed by the floods, emphasized the need for a united and proactive response from all departments involved in disaster management.
“This is a challenging time for the people of our state. We must ensure that all departments work in unison to mitigate the impact of the floods,” stated Chief Minister Saha. He underscored the importance of active participation from officials across different departments, emphasizing that collective effort is crucial in dealing with the ongoing crisis.
The high-level review meeting was attended by key officials, including Chief Secretary J. K. Sinha, Director General of Police Amitabh Ranjan, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, Public Works Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, and Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. P. K. Chakravarty, among others. These senior officials provided the Chief Minister with detailed updates on the flood situation and the measures being taken to address it.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Saha sought a comprehensive report on the extent of the flooding and the response efforts. He stressed the immediate evacuation of residents from flood-prone areas, emphasizing the need for urgency in moving people to safety. “We must ensure that every life is protected. Evacuation efforts should be swift and efficient,” he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the necessity of maintaining an adequate supply of food and medicine for those taking refuge in relief camps. He directed officials to ensure that sufficient boats are available for rescue operations in flooded areas and that the safety of the personnel involved in these operations is prioritized.
“Once the floodwaters recede, our focus must shift to restoring normalcy as quickly as possible. Proper cleaning arrangements should be made to prevent the outbreak of diseases,” Chief Minister Saha added, emphasizing the importance of post-flood rehabilitation efforts.
In a grim update, Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey informed the meeting that the floods have claimed eight lives so far, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Chief Minister expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and instructed officials to expedite damage assessments to facilitate prompt compensation and relief measures.
The state government remains on high alert as it continues to monitor the situation closely. The Chief Minister has called for all concerned departments to remain vigilant and responsive as further rainfall is anticipated in the coming days.
