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Chennai: Four districts in southern Tamil Nadu – Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari – are battling severe floods following record-breaking rainfall. Educational institutions have been given rain leave, and both private and public sector companies have been forced to shut operations. Many schools, colleges and banks have been closed due to floods.
These districts have experienced unprecedented rainfall, with Tiruchendur in Tuticorin district recording heavy rainfall of 60 cm within 15 hours. Palayamkottai and Kanyakumari also received significant rainfall, recording 26 cm and 17.3 cm respectively. With water levels rising to knees and even waist level in some areas, dams like Papanasam, Perunjani and Pechuparai have been forced to release water, causing the Thamaraparani river to swell.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has sent ministers and senior bureaucrats to monitor relief and rescue operations. District collectors have been instructed to set up relief centers and evacuate people as needed. Two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and three teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on the ground to assist in relief efforts. An additional 4,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain order and provide assistance in the affected districts.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that due to rain, severe waterlogging and flood like situation has arisen in some districts. Water levels in Papanasam and Manimuthar dams reached 80% and 45% respectively, causing increased flow and flash floods in the catchment area. Rainfall of up to 190 mm occurred in some areas, with floodwaters entering Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital and other low-lying areas.
India Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with a cyclonic circulation over Comorin area. Fishermen are being advised not to venture into the sea due to strong winds. The disaster comes as Chennai and neighbouring districts are still recovering from floods caused by Cyclone Michaung.
The extreme weather conditions have also affected air and rail travel, with flights to Tuticorin being diverted or cancelled, and seventeen trains including the Vande Bharat Express to and from Tirunelveli being cancelled.
Amid the crisis, MK Stalin launched the distribution of Rs 6,000 cash assistance to families affected by the rains and floods caused by Cyclone Michaung, with an aim to assist residents in Chennai and surrounding areas. As the region braces for more rainfall, the resilience and preparedness of communities and authorities will be severely tested.
