Tamil Nadu Rains: 696 Pregnant Women Moved to Safety Amid Flood Situation In Tirunelveli

The Central team visited Tirunelveli to assess the damage caused by flood and rainfall in the southern district.

In the wake of heavy rains unleashing havoc in Tamil Nadu's Southern districts, life has been severely disrupted in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. The officials said that they have evacuated 696 pregnant women to safer locations, aiming to ensure their well-being amid the flood-like situation. According to the District Collector, as many as 142 pregnant women were admitted to various hospitals and delivered babies in the last two days.

The Central team visited Tirunelveli to assess the damage caused by flood and rainfall in the southern district.

The Indian Navy flew a helicopter with seven sorties and air-dropped 3.2 tons of relief material to inaccessible flood-affected areas of Tamil Nadu. 

Earlier, Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that the state government has implemented all feasible precautions and measures for the well-being of the people in response to the prevailing situation.

"Heavy rainfall was received in Chennai and surrounding districts. In history, we have never seen this much rainfall in the Thoothukudi district. For rescue operations, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed," CM Stalin said.

He went on to reveal that a total of 12,653 individuals have been rescued and are presently accommodated in 14 relief camps. "I have instructed district collectors and officials to promptly provide food and essential items to those residing in the relief camps," he emphasized.

The Chief Minister also shared that he has formally requested additional funds for the southern districts of the state from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "On December 19, when I met the Prime Minister in Delhi, I urged him to allocate relief funds to Tamil Nadu and an additional 2,000 crore rupees for the Southern districts," he informed.

DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said, "...The weather department did not expect this, we had been checking regularly. This happened suddenly and unprecedentedly... The government could not have done anything."