Tamil Nadu: Heavy Rainfall Hits Southern State, Trains Cancelled, Schools & Colleges Shut

Heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu on Sunday, disrupting day-to-day lives in the districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi. A cyclonic storm is seen over the Comorin area and its neighbourhood, extending up to mid tropospheric levels, the regional meteorological centre (RMC) said.

A Red Alert has been issued for the state as heavy to very heavy rainfall (over 204.44 mm) is likely to continue over southern TN on Monday.

Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena told reporters that services of the Army, Navy and the Air Force have been sought as unprecedented rains have flooded the city. He added that 84 boats have been deployed for rescue and relief works.

Unprecedented rainfalls have led many areas to witness knee-to-waist-deep water levels. In view of this situation, the authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges.

Water also entered several houses in the low-lying areas and premises of a couple of hospitals were also flooded. Water-logged roads left vehicles stranded as well.

Water level crossed 4-feet at Ozhuginacheri in Kanyakumari district submerging paddy fields as the Pazahayaru river is overflowing. A link road to Madurai near Ottapidaram was also completely cut off.

Incessant rainfall also disrupted railway operations as the rail tracks were submerged in floodwater and ‘the ballast’ was washed away.

GOVERNMENT’S ACTION

Chief Minister MK Stalin, considering the overflowing Thamirabarani river, directed authorities to release surplus water into the Kannadian channel, marking a dry run under a river-linking project in southern Tamil Nadu.

The surplus water is being released from Pechiparai, Perunjani and Papanasam dams and alert messages (SMS) have been to more than two lakh local people.

Releasing of surplus water is a preparatory exercise under the Thamirabarani, Karumeniyaru and Nambiyaru river-linking project.

The Tamil Nadu government has also deployed teams of National and State Disaster Response Force. Additionally, local authorities and police have also made arrangements to assist and shift people from the vulnerable, flooded areas to relief centres.

So far, as many as 7,500 people have been evacuated and housed in 84 relief camps. These people were evacuated with the help of NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Rescue Service, and police teams.

The state government also appointed four IAS officers to oversee the relief work and speed up the process in the four rain-hit districts.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena held a virtual meeting with the district collectors and directed them to take preventive measures to tackle the situation caused by the inclement weather.

Tirunelveli recorded isolated, heavy to very rains from December 16 morning to December 17. The districts of Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam also witnessed isolated heavy rains.

Thoothukudi’s Thiruchendur recorded 606 mm of rainfall till 1:30 am on Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The RMC has predicted heavy to very heavy rain at a couple of places in the four districts — Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi — while it also forecasted light to moderate rains in several areas in of southern Tamil Nadu.

State BJP chief K Annamalai also said that he has requested BJP cadres to be involved in the rescue work. “Our cadres and leaders have opened kitchens. For tomorrow, we will focus on rescue and rehabilitation work,” Annamalai said.

SHELTER CAMPS AND FOOD FOR PEOPLE

State Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran, during a press conference noted that 19 camps have in Tirunelveli district, four camps in Kanyakumari district, two camps in Thoothukudi and one in Tenkasi district have been set up to accommodate people evacuated from vulnerable areas.

He added that CM Stalin directed the authorities to be on the spot and take necessary measures and ensure people’s safety.

Hot meals were also served for the people who moved to shelter camps from their homes due to the torrential rainfall.

LIST OF CANCELLED TRAINS

Rail services in the state were also affected by the heavy rainfall, leading up to complete or partial cancellation of trains.

According to an India Today report, Here’s a list of cancelled trains:

• Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur Unreserved Special
• Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli Unreserved Special
• Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express
• Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express
• Tirunelvi-Jamnagar Express
• Tiruchendur-Palakkad Express
• Vanchi Maniyachi-Tuticorin Unreserved Special
• Tuticorin-Vanchi Maniyachi Unreserved Special
• Tirunelveli-Tuticorin Unreserved Special
• Tuticorin-Tirunelveli Unreserved Special

(With PTI, ANI inputs)