Agartala: Tripura CM Manik Saha on Tuesday directed all eight district magistrates in the state to expedite measures to address the destruction caused by the Nor’wester over the past two days and to extend support to those affected.The state witnessed a severe thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds, resulting in widespread damage on Monday and Tuesday. Numerous residential homes were impacted, countless trees were uprooted, and significant damage was inflicted on infrastructure, including electric poles, wires, and transformers.According to the CM, district magistrates have already initiated ground-level action to tackle the situation. He reaffirmed the govt’s commitment to providing comprehensive assistance to all those hit by the calamity.Additionally, a red alert has been issued in several parts of Tripura, with warnings of continued severe weather conditions over the next three days. Authorities remain on high alert as forecasts predict intense thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and gusty winds.In Agartala, daily life came to a halt on Tuesday when just an hour of heavy rainfall caused knee-deep waterlogging on most of the city roads. The sudden inundation disrupted daily activities, creating challenges for office workers, school and college-goers, and local traders.The heavy morning rain caused severe water accumulation in critical areas such as markets, main thoroughfares, and low-lying neighborhoods. Traffic came to a standstill with prolonged jams reported across the city, while pedestrians struggled through flooded streets.Residents have voiced their frustration over Agartala’s inadequate drainage system, recently revamped under the Agartala Smart City Mission. Many criticized the system’s inefficiency, pointing out that even moderate rainfall continues to trigger major flooding.They lamented that despite promises of improved infrastructure, recurring problems resurface every monsoon season. Allegedly, Smart City authority in Agartala reduced the dimensions of the storm-water drains and left construction debris underneath, causing obstruction to water flow. Additionally, in many areas, the faulty construction of roads prevented rainwater from reaching the drains.Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further volatile weather conditions for Tripura, with predictions of thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy to very heavy pre-monsoon rainfall persisting until May 1.
