Agartala, Aug 25: Tripura is slowly beginning to recover from the unprecedented floods that have ravaged the state, marking the worst deluge in over 30 years. The catastrophic flooding, which has claimed 24 lives, has left a significant portion of the state’s 40-lakh population grappling with severe disruptions.

Although the heavy downpours of the last 3-4 days have subsided, many areas remain inundated, particularly those near rivers and low-lying regions. Official reports indicate that approximately 17 lakh people have been affected by the floods, with thousands stranded as floodwaters engulfed their homes and communities.

Amidst this disaster, various agencies, including the Assam Rifles, have been at the forefront of rescue and relief efforts. The 18th Assam Rifles battalion has played a crucial role, launching “Operation Jal Rahat” to rescue residents from remote, flood-affected areas across the Unakoti and Gomati districts. The jawans worked tirelessly for over four days, braving the dangerous conditions to ferry stranded people to safety.

In the Gomati district, the sudden rise in the Gomati River’s water level has submerged vast stretches of cropland and residential areas, leaving scores of people marooned. A rescue team of 18th Assam Rifles battalion was deployed to the Dak Bungalow locality in Udaipur, where they evacuated residents trapped by the floodwaters.

At the same time, the rescue efforts have been fraught with challenges. Many residents were initially reluctant to leave their homes, requiring the jawans to make repeated appeals and even blow whistles to alert them to the imminent danger, as well as knocking on doors to ensure no one was left behind. The rescue operation became more complex and challenging after dusk and with outage of electricity and torrential rains.

The soldiers also risked their lives, navigating floodwaters and evading potential threats from wild animals, such as snakes, as they balanced overloaded boats filled with rescued residents.

This flood marks the first time in 30 years that Tripura has faced such a devastating natural calamity. The widespread impact includes severe damage to infrastructure, with power outages, submerged farmland, caved-in roads, and disrupted drinking water connections.

Despite the challenges, the Assam Rifles have provided a beacon of hope and rendered selfless service to humanity.

Also Read: Assam: Speeding biker arrested for killing woman in hit-and-run case in Dibrugarh

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