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By Aayushi Sharma
The Tripura government has declared the entire state a natural calamity-affected area following severe floods that led to significant loss of life and extensive property damage, on Thursday. The state has been reeling under unprecedented floods that have caused widespread devastation, with both public and private infrastructures suffering massive destruction. Relief, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Department Secretary, Birjesh Pandey stated, “Considering the gravity of the situation, leading to loss of human lives and public and private properties, the state government has decided to declare the entire state as “Natural Calamity Affected Area”. Preliminary estimates put the financial loss at a staggering Rs 15,000 crore.” He also informed that till now 32 people have been reported dead, two injured, and one person still missing.
The declaration officially designates the entire state of Tripura as a disaster zone, underscoring the severity of the flood situation. In response to the state’s plea for assistance, the central government has dispatched a five-member inter-ministerial team to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the floods. This team will play a crucial role in determining the scale of aid required for recovery and rebuilding efforts. Currently, 53,356 people are being sheltered in 369 relief camps across the state, as their homes have either collapsed or been washed away in the floods. The state administration has begun distributing relief assistance to those affected, aiming to help them rebuild their lives and homes.
The situation in Tripura remains dire, with ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the floods and provide relief to those affected. The declaration of the state as a natural calamity-affected area is expected to expedite the mobilization of resources and support from both the state and central governments and international aid agencies.
2024 Flood Scenario Across North East India: A Region In Crisis
In 2024, the northeastern states of India were gripped by a devastating flood crisis, highlighting the region’s acute vulnerability to the effects of climate change. This year’s floods affected millions of people across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim. The floods were triggered by a combination of intense monsoon rains, glacial melt from the Himalayas, and the overflowing of major rivers like the Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries. The region experienced unusually heavy rainfall, with some areas recording levels far exceeding the annual average within a matter of days.
- Assam: As one of the worst-hit states, Assam faced catastrophic flooding, particularly in the Brahmaputra valley. Over 2,000 villages were submerged, and the floodwaters displaced over 3 million people. Guwahati received more than 100 mm in about 2 hours on 5th August. The heavy rainfall experienced across Guwahati on August 5th varied from 70 MM to 130 MM spread over more than 2 hours. Although such intense rain spells can be attributed to climate change, this is not the first time that the city has received such rain extremes.
- Meghalaya: The state has recorded 44% excess rainfall since June 1, 2024, which triggered flash floods, widespread landslides, and huge infrastructure damage across various districts especially in the Garo and Khasi Hills. Entire villages were cut off due to damaged roads and bridges, making rescue and relief operations challenging.
Other northeastern states also witnessed severe flooding and landslides. In Sikkim, the melting glaciers contributed to the rising water levels of the Teesta River, which led to flooding in several downstream areas. In the Tawang and West Kameng regions of Arunachal Pradesh flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and hydroelectric projects, further isolating remote areas.
References:
https://www.newsonair.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shillong-1.pdf
North East India Facing Severe Climate Change Consequences: IMD Chief
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