Tamil Nadu Rains: As incessant rainfall continues to batter several parts of Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorms and lightning with moderate rainfall on Tuesday. The weather office has also said light rain is likely in isolated places in several districts of Tamil Nadu in the next three hours. The continuous downpour in the state has also affected train operations, and as a result, traffic has been suspended in various sections, including the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.
Moreover, Southern Railway is also making concerted efforts to restore traffic and evacuate stranded passengers at Srivakuntam Railway Station.
“Unprecedented rainfall had occurred in the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin during the 24 hours from 08:30 hours of 17-12-2023 to 08:30 hours of 18-12-2023 measuring in the range of 670 mm to 932 mm. This had impacted the train operation as track parameters has been breached on certain sections falling in these two districts and as result traffic has to be suspended,” Southern Railway said in a statement. "Southern Railway taking concerted efforts in restoration of traffic and evacuation of stranded passengers at Srivakuntam Railway Station," the statement further stated.
Southern Railway Reachs Out To NDRF And State Govt
In the statement issued by Southern Railway, it stated that it has reached out to both the National Disaster Response Force and state government officials to extend maximum assistance in the evacuation of passengers. The statement further said that the supply of food and water to all the stranded passengers is a top priority.
Food packets have been supplied to 200 passengers in the school by the state police. Also, for 100 passengers stranded in the station, food was provided by the local people, the statement added. The NDRF team from Tuticorin was moved by road to Srivaikutam station, but they have been held up en-route due to heavy flooding and breaching of roads.
NDRF said that two teams were struggling to reach stranded passengers for rescue operations due to severe floods, and NDRF is making efforts to reach them and do what is necessary.