One dead as heavy rains ravage southern Tamil Nadu; IAF help sought for rescue operation, air dropping of essential supplies
PTC Web Desk: Heavy rains wreaked havoc across four districts in southern Tamil Nadu, causing floods and disrupting normal life in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari. One death was reported in Tuticorin due to the deluge. The state authorities have requested assistance from the Indian Air Force for rescue operations and air-dropping of essential supplies.
Thiruchendur in Tuticorin district experienced a staggering 60 cm of rainfall within a span of 15 hours, while Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli District recorded 26 cm of rainfall. Kanyakumari witnessed 17.3 cm of rainfall.
In response to heavy rains in southern Tamil Nadu, a public holiday has been declared in the affected districts, leading to the closure of schools, colleges, banks, private businesses, and public sector firms. Significant areas in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari were submerged under knee-to-waist-deep water due to the release of water from dams such as Papanasam, Perunjani and Pechuparai, notably causing the Thamaraparani river to swell. District collectors have been urged to manage dam water efficiently.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings of continued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as a cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area exacerbated the situation.
Chief Minister M K Stalin deployed ministers and senior bureaucrats for relief and rescue operations, assigning a senior bureaucrat to oversee each affected district. Instructions were given to prepare relief centres, boats, and facilitate early evacuation, if necessary.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were mobilised to the affected areas for rescue efforts, evacuating around 7,500 individuals to 84 relief camps. Additionally, 4,000 police personnel were deployed in these districts.
Fishermen were strongly advised against venturing into the sea due to high wind speeds ranging from 40 to 55 km/h.
These floods struck the southern districts while Chennai and adjoining areas are still recovering from floods caused by cyclone Michuang earlier this month.
Tuticorin-bound flights were diverted or cancelled, and 17 trains, including the Vande Bharat train to and from Tirunelveli, faced partial or full cancellations. The Southern Railway announced the suspension of traffic in the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur section due to track damage and flooding.
Numerous train services operating through southern regions were either fully cancelled, partially suspended, or redirected due to the severe conditions.
- PTC NEWS
