Torrential rains strike Thiruchendur, 60 cm of Rainfall in 15 Hours, Public holiday declared:
Southern Tamil Nadu is currently facing an unprecedented amount of rainfall, which has caused significant disruption to the daily lives of residents in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari districts. Regrettably, there has been one reported casualty in the Tuticorin district. In just 15 hours until 1:30 am, Thiruchendur in Tuticorin received an astonishing 60 cm of rainfall, while Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli recorded 26 cm, and Kanyakumari experienced 17.3 cm.
Due to the ongoing heavy rainfall, several areas in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari districts have been severely affected, with water levels rising to knee-to-waist-deep in some places. This has been further exacerbated by the release of water from Papanasam, Perunjani, and Pechuparai dams. As a result, it has been deemed necessary to declare a public holiday in the affected districts, leading to the temporary closure of schools, colleges, banks, private establishments, and public sector firms.
IMD Warns of Continued Heavy Rainfall, Chief Minister Stalin Takes Charge:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning regarding heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, citing a cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area as the cause. In response, Chief Minister M K Stalin has taken charge and swiftly organized ministers and senior bureaucrats to carry out relief and rescue operations. District Collectors have been instructed to set up and prepare relief centres and boats in areas that are at risk.
Evacuation Efforts Intensify: NDRF and SDRF Deployed:
Evacuation efforts have been intensified with the deployment of two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and three teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the affected districts. These teams have successfully relocated around 7,300 individuals to 84 relief camps. To ensure the safety of the fishermen, it has been advised to refrain from venturing into the sea due to the high wind speed.
Transportation Chaos Continues as Flights and Trains Face Diversions and Cancellations:
Chennai's recent flood recovery has faced challenges due to heavy rainfall in the southern region. The transportation services have been significantly affected, leading to the diversion or cancellation of flights bound for Tuticorin and the cancellation of seventeen trains, including the Vande Bharat train to and from Tirunelveli. The Southern Railway has also reported the suspension of traffic in the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur section due to damage to the ballast and tracks.
The floods affected southern districts while Chennai and nearby areas were still recovering from the aftermath of Cyclone Michuang earlier this month. The government is dedicated to addressing the crisis and is actively engaged in ongoing relief and rescue operations.
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