Storm affects power and water supply in Tripura

Cyclonic storm coupled with rain and thundershowers which had hit Tripura in the last three days has caused massive damage to water and power supply and it would take a few days to restore them, a state minister said today.
Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey said the entire state was affected due to the storm and it would take at least seven to 10 days to restore normal power supply as electricity posts were uprooted, electric wires were torn and many power transformers were damaged.
"We appeal to all sections of people in the state to cooperate us in restoring power supply. Many skilled labourers were engaged besides the employees of the Tripura State Electricity Ltd (TSECL) for restoration of the power supply," Dey told reporters.

Chief Managing Director (CMD) of TSECL, Shyamal Kumar Roy said the state witnessed cyclonic storms in phased manner since April 1 which uprooted 3,174 electricity posts including 1,336 posts of high tension power (11 KV), 206 transformers were damaged and 1,683 circuit km wire were torn.
"According to preliminary report, the damage was in the tune of Rs 6.43 crore, repairing cost was estimated at Rs 1.29 crore and the total loss would be Rs 7.72 crore," he said.
District Magistrate of Dhalai district Milind Ramteke told reporters that all the four sub-divisions of the district suffered huge damage of houses, electric posts and all the Sub-divisional Magistrates were directed to estimate the loss.

Meanwhile, president of Rubber Growers Association of Kamalpur subdivision of Dhalai district Pranesh Burman said more than 300 rubber gardens were damaged as the cyclone uprooted the trees and added more than 500 houses of rubber growers and labourers were damaged in last three days.