AGARTALA, April 23 (TIWN): In a major announcement, Tripura Govt has announced a financial package to each household at Rs. 95,000 who have lost their homes in this northwester storm. In addition, Rs. 3,200 will be given to those families, whose houses were partially damaged. Govt announced this incident as a double-trouble incident for the state as the hailstorm has hit Tripura amid Corona crisis. In a press release, it was announced that over 5000 houses have been damaged. Total 22 relief camps are opened now. Chief Minister Biplab Deb who visited storm hit areas met devastating consequences. Many family members broke down in cries demanding Govt help. Biplab Deb today visited various places in Sepahijala and Khowai district where hailstorm caused severe damages yesterday amid COVID19 crisis.

During his visit to Baidyar Dighi, Golaghati Bazar, Mohanpur ADC Village, Pathaliya Panchayat, Golaghati Panchayat (Marak Para), Chikancherra Panchayat (Bhatilarma) and Takarjala under Sepahijala district, and some places in Kalyanpur of Khowai district, the Chief Minister took stock of rescue and relief operations. In some places, the Chief Minister extended immediate financial assistance to the affected people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz__nkJV_Cw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2eBTw9GKYz-i-FM0gtFUwRa4J9iyvd3SxW1Wzvzb-QG9pKcWTU7Vvjs8M "The storm has been much devastating, destroyed everything from small to big": CM Biplab Deb. TIWN YouTube Video April 23, 2020

Around 5000 houses and huge amount of crops have been damaged and a numerous big trees have collapsed in various parts of Tripura following the heavy storm yesterday.

Total 22 relief camps- 17 in Sepahijala and 5 in Khowai districts—have been set up to shelter the storm-affected people.

Around 4200 storm-affected people have been shifted to relief camps in Sepahijala district while 25 families have been sheltered in five relief camps of Khowai till the last information came in and the administration is providing foods and other basic facilities to them.

While visiting several relief camps, the Chief Minister also interacted with the affected people and assured them of providing all possible support.

The Chief Minister in his social media handle said assistance of Rs. 5000 has been given to every affected family as immediate relief.

Rs. 95,000 would be given to every family whose houses were damaged severely and Rs. 3,200 would be given to each family in case of minor damages. The farmers and animal rearers who suffered loss due to hailstorm will also be given assistance after survey.

Replying media queries, the Chief Minister said Takarjala and Golaghati of Sepahijala district and Kalyanpur of Khowai district suffered the maximum damage. The Agriculture fields, rubber plantations and many houses have been badly affected.

“According to the preliminary assessment, around 550 storm-affected families have been shifted to various relief camps in three places. Besides, the loss of properties has been estimated to be Rs. One crore,” CM said.

He also said that all administrative officials and other concerned had already been engaged to assess the damage and provide reliefs to the affected families. The registration of the damaged houses has already been done and they will receive assistance from State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) within a day or two, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister had already passed an instruction to the Chief Secretary for providing relief to the affected people at the earliest soon after the storm hit the state yesterday. The Chief Minister also personally spoke to the District Magistrates and inquired about the overall situation.

In a tweet, the Chief Minister said that the total loss would be more than Rs. One crore.

“Yesterday's hailstorm has directly or indirectly affected five thousand people. As per the initial reports the losses occurred due to storm is more than crore. However our administration is working hard to extend help to everyone. We will leave no stone unturned to overcome this,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

The Chief Minster has appealed the people so that they don’t let the nature’s fury affect the fight against COVID19 situation. He said, with blessings of Mata Tripurasundari, the government would fight both the COVID19 situation and the nature’s fury together. The state government is ready to provide all possible assistance to the people, the Chief Minister added.

CM also reminded the administration about “social distancing” in relief camps along with hygiene maintenance, so that no new difficulties erupt for state due to COVID19 spread.