More Rain on the Way, Expect Further Disruptions...
Heavy rains in Chennai are causing floods in four southern districts of Tamil Nadu—Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari—disrupting daily life.
Thiruchendur in Tuticorin District got slammed with 60 cm of rain in just 15 hours until 1:30 am. Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli recorded 26 cm, and Kanyakumari saw 17.3 cm of rainfall.
Today is a public holiday in the affected districts due to heavy rains. Schools, colleges, banks, private establishments, and public sector firms will remain closed.
Parts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari districts are underwater with knee-to-waist-deep water due to releases from Papanasam, Perunjani, and Pechuparai dams. River Thamaraparani is flowing at high levels. District collectors are instructed to oversee effective water management in dams.
IMD has issued a warning for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall today, with a cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area intensifying the situation.
Chief Minister M K Stalin has taken action by deploying ministers and senior bureaucrats for relief and rescue operations. Each affected district now has a senior bureaucrat overseeing operations. Mr. Stalin directed District Collectors to be proactive, keeping relief centers and boats ready in vulnerable areas and evacuating people promptly if needed.
Two NDRF teams, each with 50 members, have been dispatched to Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts. Additionally, three SDRF teams are on the ground in Kanyakumari district to assist in disaster response efforts.
To enhance support, 4,000 police personnel have been deployed in the affected districts.
Fishermen are strongly urged to refrain from venturing into the sea due to high windspeed, ranging from 40 to 55 km.
Southern districts are facing floods while Chennai and neighboring areas recover from the recent floods caused by Cyclone Michuang. Double trouble for the region.
Tuticorin-bound flights are disrupted, with diversions and cancellations. Additionally, 17 trains, including the Vande Bharat train to and from Tirunelveli, have been either partially or fully cancelled due to the prevailing conditions.
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