AGARTALA, June 15 - The flood situation in Tripura has deteriorated with the rain-fed Khowai river inundating fresh areas in Khowai district, leaving thousands of people homeless and damaging roads and crops, officials said.
While two persons lost their lives on Wednesday, the body of a 50-year-old farmer, who was washed away by the Khowai river, was recovered from Sonalata area today, the officials added.
With the water level of the Hawrah river, which passes through Agartala, crossing the danger mark, the West district administration has sounded an alert for people, besides pressing into service emergency relief teams, including the NDRF and security personnel.
Altogether 12 camps have already been opened for the flood-hit so far, while 30 more are being readied for further emergencies. �Four choppers from the Indian Air Force and as many boats from the Army Engineering Service have been pressed into service in Unakoti, one of the worst-affected districts,� said an official.
Around 2,000 flood-affected people are taking shelter in the new relief camps set up this morning as the water level of the Khowai has risen following continuous rain since last night, Additional District Magistrate Uttam Mandal said over telephone.
Currently, 6,000 people are marooned in Khowai district, he said, adding the flood has caused extensive damage to road connectivity as well as crops.
Vehicular movement has been disrupted at various places of the district as some wooden bridges were washed away by the gushing waters.
In Kalilashshar subdivision of Unakoti district, over 21,000 people are taking shelter in relief camps. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb visited the subdivision to supervise the rescue operations, an official release stated. During the visit, Deb asked the officials to provide relief materials to the marooned people on an urgent basis.
Around 40,000 flood-hit people are currently lodged in 224 relief camps and the number may increase due to the fresh flood in Khowai district, said an official of the State Emergency Operation Centre.
