Tamil Nadu Rain: State, Central Agencies Launch Joint Rescue Ops As Toll Reaches 10 - Top Points

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena said 10 people have lost their lives till now due to rain-related events in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts.

People use a boat to shift from a flooded road following heavy rains in Tirunelveli ( Image Source :PTI )

In a historic unprecedented rainfall experienced in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts, floodwater surged, inundating residential neighbourhoods and roads. Several houses were submerged and individuals found themselves stranded on Tuesday. The residents, along with the Fire and Rescue Service and disaster response teams, used ropes to assist those marooned in flooded areas, guiding them to safety. With a decrease in rainfall on Tuesday, the primary focus shifted to the rescue operation in the two worst-affected districts.

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena said 10 people have lost their lives till now due to rain-related events in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts.

The intense rainfall and flooding in southern Tamil Nadu have overshadowed the recent showers and inundation witnessed in the state capital, Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Rains: Top Points

• Water levels surpassed four feet in various locations in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, transforming bus termini in both cities into vast water-filled regions. Similar conditions were observed in other areas, including Kovilpatti. Vehicles parked near the bus terminus areas were submerged.
• Terming it a historical rainfall, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said, "Chennai Meteorology Department forecasted heavy pouring on December 17 and 18 and they announced on December 16. The pour was extremely high than the Meteorology Department's prediction. This is historical rainfall. Even though we received the warning a bit late, the Tamil Nadu government took proper measures for rescue and relief."
  
  

• Delhi | Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin says, "Chennai Meteorology Department forecasted heavy pouring on December 17 & 18 and they announced on December 16. The pour was extremely high than the meteorology Department's prediction. This is historical rainfall. Even though we received the… pic.twitter.com/GMIGY5yWjk

  — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2023

• CM MK Stalin wrote to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urging to deploy more helicopters in the southern districts of the state to aid rescue and relief operations on Tuesday. The CM said that till now eight helicopters including four from the Air Force, 2 from the Navy and 2 from the Coast Guard have been deployed for the rescue of stranded people. 

• On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi held an emergency meeting with the officials of central agencies on the flood situation and rescue operations that are being conducted in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.
• On the passengers stranded in Srivaikuntam, Minister of State Information and Broadcast L Murugan said, “Train number 20606, Chennai-Egmore Express running from Tiruchendur to Chennai along with passengers has been stranded in Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu due to heavy rain and flood situation in the area. Met Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and he immediately made a call to southern railway officials from the war room to review the situation and instructed the officials to fasten the rescue operation.”
  
• At Srivaikuntam railway station, a helicopter lowered ropes and necessary equipment for lifting people. Several passengers, including a boy, were successfully airlifted to safety. From Thoothukudi to Srivaikundam, roads are completely flooded. Drone visuals show the current situation. Earlier, around 500 people got stuck at Srivaikundam railway station due to floods and they are being rescued currently with the help of a rescue team by helicopter.

• #WATCH | Tamil Nadu | From Thoothukudi to Srivaikundam, roads are completely flooded. Drone visuals show the current situation.
  
  Earlier, around 100 people got stuck at Srivaikundam railway station due to floods and they are being rescued currently with the help of a rescue team… pic.twitter.com/htjEAodjUj

  — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2023

 

• Indian Air Force (IAF) also rescued people stranded in flood-affected areas in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

• IAF helicopters are deployed for HADR missions in #TamilNadu due to unprecedented rains in last 24 hrs.
  
  Four passengers including a pregnant lady & baby aged 1.5 yrs were winched up and taken safely to Madurai.@IAF_MCC @IafSac @Def_PRO_Chennai @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/y7v1ptSPiL

  — PRO Nagpur, Ministry of Defence (@PRODefNgp) December 19, 2023

•  Schools and colleges are to remain shut in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts on Wednesday (December 20).
• The Tamil Nadu government has formed special teams to provide food and relief materials in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. The contacts of coordinators were also provided. Thoothukudi coordinator could be reached at 7397770030 and Tirunelveli coordinator could be reached at 9442218000.
• Southern Tamil Nadu's major dams and reservoirs reached storage levels between 80% and 100% on Monday, attributed to heavy rainfall, as confirmed by the government. Specific percentages include 83.10% in Manimuthar dam, 89.54% in Papanasam dam, and 80.73% in Servalar dam, according to an official release."