Five dead in monsoon rains in Tripura

Agartala, June 13 (UNI) At least five people, including three children, were killed in lightning and a series of landslides triggered by monsoon rains in Tripura, official sources said today.

Four people, including two children, were buried under mounds of earth loosened from a nearby hill, while a 13-year-old boy died when lightning struck him during fishing in Churaibari area.

Dharmanagar and neighbouring regions in North Tripura have been lashed by heavy rains since Sunday submerging several areas. Many government offices and hospitals were water-logged, the sources said. The Juri and Kakri rivers are in spate.

The landslides have also damaged National Highway No 44.

Vehicular traffic was suspended yesterday and efforts were being made to clear the road.

However, the Tripura Road Transport Corporation buses which take the route left here for their destinations in Silchar and Guwahati in Asom this morning, the sources added.

A large number of families from the affected areas have taken shelter in safer places and authorities are making arrangements to help them.

Kailahahar, the headquarters of the North Tripura district is also facing a flood-like situation. The embankment of Manu river near the district town was breached at several places causing panic among the residents.

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