A severe storm that swept across several districts of Tripura late Saturday night has left a trail of destruction, damaging more than 1,800 homes and displacing hundreds of residents. The unseasonal weather event, marked by powerful winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning, has plunged many villages into crisis, prompting an urgent response from the state government.
According to the Tripura State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the storm primarily impacted the districts of West Tripura, Sepahijala, and Khowai. Authorities reported that homes made of bamboo and tin bore the brunt of the winds, while large trees and electric poles were uprooted, leading to widespread power outages.
Extensive Damage Across Rural and Urban Areas
Preliminary estimates suggest that over 1,800 houses have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged. Most of the affected homes belong to economically weaker sections, including tribal families and daily wage laborers. In several localities, stormwater entered households, ruining food supplies, furniture, and stored belongings.
The hardest-hit areas include Bishalgarh and Jirania blocks, where gusts of wind exceeding 60 km/h blew off rooftops and damaged school buildings, anganwadi centres, and public infrastructure.
The Tripura storm damage is being described as one of the worst in recent years, both in terms of structural loss and the humanitarian impact it has triggered.
Hundreds Displaced, Emergency Relief Begins
According to officials, more than 700 people have been temporarily relocated to community halls and government schools set up as relief camps. The Tripura Disaster Management Authority (TDMA) has deployed teams across the affected districts to provide food, water, clothing, and medical aid to those displaced.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha expressed deep concern over the situation and has directed the administration to carry out swift relief and rehabilitation operations. “We are doing everything possible to help the affected families. Immediate relief is being provided, and damage assessment is underway for compensation,” said the CM during his visit to a shelter camp in West Tripura.
The state government has announced an emergency relief fund to support the victims and has sought assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to bolster recovery efforts.
Power and Transport Disruptions
The storm has also led to major power outages across several blocks. Electric poles were snapped and transmission lines damaged, plunging entire localities into darkness. Repair work is ongoing, but officials say it may take 48–72 hours to fully restore services in remote villages.
Road connectivity has also been affected due to fallen trees and debris blocking access routes. In many areas, villagers and local volunteers are assisting public works departments in clearing the roads.
Weather experts have attributed the Tripura weather news to a sudden formation of a low-pressure zone over eastern India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a thunderstorm alert a day earlier, but the scale of destruction has far exceeded initial forecasts.
Community Support and Appeal for Aid
Local NGOs and youth organizations have joined hands with authorities in distributing essential supplies. Appeals for blankets, tarpaulin sheets, clean water, and sanitary products have been made, especially for the women and children taking shelter in temporary camps.
District collectors have been asked to submit detailed damage reports within 72 hours to facilitate faster financial compensation. Early estimates suggest that the losses could run into several crores of rupees, making it one of the costliest storm destruction in Tripura this year.
Looking Ahead
With the monsoon season just weeks away, the government is also considering long-term disaster preparedness strategies to reduce vulnerability in storm-prone regions. Officials are urging residents to take weather alerts seriously and reinforce their homes wherever possible.
This Tripura disaster relief operation continues to be a priority for the administration as it works to rehabilitate affected families and rebuild damaged infrastructure. The storm has served as a harsh reminder of the importance of disaster-resilient planning, especially in states with high rural density and fragile housing conditions.
