Tamil Nadu Rains: Streets Flooded, Navy Air Force Carry Rescue Op, Defence Minister Assures Help | Top Points

Tamil Nadu continued to battle with heavy rainfall and waterlogging causing widespread damage while the Indian Air Force and the Navy took on relief and rescue operations.

Here are latest Updates on Tamil Nadu Rain –

• Personnel of the Indian Navy distributed food and relief materials to flood-hit people in Madurai and Tuticor on Wednesday. A car with three passengers was also rescued by the Indian Army in a flood-affected area of Kurukattur in Thoothukudi district.
• Meanwhile, the office of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured that the Centre will provide all possible assistance to Tamil Nadu.
• “The IAF helicopters are carrying out rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Tamil Nadu. The central government is providing all possible assistance to Tamil Nadu,” a statement by the Defence Minister’s office said.
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin along with DMK MP K Kanimozhi on Thursday met flood-affected people and visited a relief centre to distribute relief items in Thoothukudi.

• “I travelled to Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts today and met the people affected by the floods caused by the unprecedented heavy rains. I gave comfort and courage to those who are recovering after facing severe natural calamity that the government will support them. I express my sincere appreciation and congratulations to all the honourable ministers who are leading the rescue and relief operations, the government officials who are working day and night and the employees of all the local bodies and people’s representatives,” Stalin said in X post.
• CM Stalin on Tuesday had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund for livelihood support and repair of public infrastructure damaged by the recent flooding in the state’s southern districts.
• “While a comprehensive assessment of the permanent damage will take time, we request an interim assistance of Rs 2,000 crore from the NDRF (National Disaster Relief Fund) to bolster the ongoing efforts for livelihood support and repairs and restoration of the public infrastructure battered by the unprecedented floods,” he said in the memorandum.
• “Met with Hon’ble Prime Minister Thiru @NarendraModi to discuss the urgent situation in flood-hit areas of Tamil Nadu. Submitted a memorandum seeking funds from #NDRF to enhance ongoing rescue efforts and restore vital infrastructure. Grateful for the @PMOIndia’s attention to Tamil Nadu’s needs during these challenging times,” the Tamil Nadu CM later said in an X post.
• Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin and Alanthalai areas witnessed heavy downpours resulting in flooding and waterlogging in streets. According to officials, southern districts, particularly Tirunelveli and Tuticorin witnessed record rainfall and flooding.
• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a light rain warning for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for the next six days.
• “Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at one or two places in Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area from December 21 to 26, 2023,” the weather agency said.

(With PTI inputs)