Severe cyclonic storm "Remal" may impact Tripura, Government prepares for emergency response

Agartala: With the Cyclonic Storm "Remal," now centred over the Bay of Bengal intensifying into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, urgent preparatory measures across Tripura are being put in place.
The storm, expected to bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 110-120 kmph with gusts up to 135 kmph, is likely to make landfall around 11 pm on Sunday near Khepupara and Sagar Island.
In anticipation of the storm's impact, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued advisories predicting increased rainfall and heavy winds in Tripura from the night of May 26 to May 29. The state is bracing for heavy rainfall and gusty winds in isolated areas during this period.
Following the advisories, the Revenue Department of Tripura issued instructions to District Magistrates and Collectors on May 24 to initiate preparatory measures. The Secretary of Revenue (RR&DM) is in constant communication with district officials to ensure comprehensive mitigation efforts. State and District Emergency Operation Centres are operating 24x7 to manage the situation.
An urgent meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) was convened on May 26 at 10:30 am, chaired by the Chief Secretary at the Civil Secretariat. Key officials, including the Director General of Police (DGP), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), and representatives from IMD, the Airport Authority, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), attended the meeting.
The SEC has asked all schools, educational institutions, and Anganwadi centres to be closed on May 27 and May 28. The Transport Department is coordinating with Railways, the Airport Authority, and road transport services to ensure public safety and inform the public about any cancellations.
The NDRF has been requested to deploy a team to Santirbazar to assist South Tripura and Gomati Districts, with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams on standby. The Food Department will ensure the availability of food and essential supplies. The Fishery Department has alerted fishing communities to avoid lakes, rivers, and reservoirs from May 26 to May 28.
The Airport Authority of India, Agartala, announced that all flights arriving from Kolkata to Agartala are cancelled until 9 am on May 27. Passengers are being notified by the respective airlines, while flights from Delhi, Bangalore, and Guwahati are currently operating as scheduled, with further updates expected.
The State Government of Tripura urged all citizens to remain calm and assured them that all necessary measures are in place to handle the cyclone's impact effectively.
As the state prepares for the cyclone, citizens are advised to stay informed through official channels and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
The state is expected to witness heavy rainfall accompanied by speedy wind. Red alert was issued for four Tripura districts.
Secretary Tripura Revenue Department Brijesh Pandey on Sunday said that the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for four Tripura districts for May 27 in the light of Cyclonic storm "Remal". For two other districts an orange alert has been issued.
Speaking to media persons at civil secretariat, Pandey said, "The Cyclonic Storm 'Remal' is now centred over Bay of Bengal and has been intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm. It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 110- 120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph."
"It is expected that the landfall of the cyclone will be about 11:00 PM on Sunday night near Khepupara and Sagar Island. Because of this, an increase in rainfall actively accompanied with heavy rainfall and gusty wind at isolated places is to occur during 26 to 29 May, 2024 Under the influence of the cyclonic storm in Tripura. The rainfall is expected to start in Tripura from 26th May 2024 night and will continue upto 29th May 2024," Pandey said.
According to the Revenue Secretary, a slew of decisions were taken immediately after the IMD predictions were received. Chief Secretary JK Sinha chaired the meeting of state Disaster Management Authority to assess the situation and plan remedial and preemptive measures.
"Considering the severity of the cyclone an urgent Meeting of the State Executive Committee was also held Sunday under the stewardship of the Chief Secretary in the Civil Secretariat. The DGP, PCCF, Secretaries, and Heads of relevant Departments and senior officers from other agencies such as IMD, Airport Authority, NDRF etc attended the meeting. Some of the key decisions of the meeting are the schools, educational institutions and Anganwadi Centres had been ordered to remain closed on 27th and 28th May 2024. NDRF has been requested to mobilise one team to the southern side specifically at Santirbazar to cater to South Tripura and Gomati Districts. SDRF teams will remain ready to respond to any crisis situation. Food Department has to ensure availability of food and essential supplies," he pointed out.
On the transport front, he said, "Transport Department has been advised to coordinate with Railways, Airport Authority and Road Transports for public safety and inform the public if there is any cancellation of flights, trains and other transports."
"Airport Authority of India, Agartala has informed that all flights arriving from Kolkata to Agartala are cancelled till 0900hrs on 27 May 2024. Passengers are being informed by the concerned airlines. Other flights arriving from Delhi, Bangalore and Guwahati are operating normally. Updates for air traffic will be updated further," he added.
On being asked about the funds available for the operations during emergency situations, he said, "All the districts collectively has more than Rs 50 crore for disaster management activities. There is no scarcity of funds with the state as well."
Speaking at the same press conference, KC Meena, Director MBB Airport Agartala said that only flights operating between Kolkata and Agartala airports stand cancelled while other flights are operating as per the normal routine.
The districts for which red alert is issued included: West Tripura, Khowai, South Tripura and Dhalai district. North Tripura and Unakoti districts are under Orange alert.