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Chennai:In the aftermath of heavy rainfall in southern Tamil Nadu, approximately 500 passengers found themselves stranded at Srivaikuntam railway station in the Tuticorin district on Monday. The station is engulfed by floodwaters, rendering the tracks impassable due to severe damage.
The torrential downpour caused soil erosion, washing away the ballast that supports the railway tracks in Srivaikuntam. As a result, the iron tracks now hang precariously, supported only by cement slabs.
Rescue efforts have faced setbacks as the road leading to the station is cut off. The affected train was en route from Thiruchendur to Chennai. Guhanesan, Chief PRO of Southern Railways, assured the safety of the stranded passengers and reported that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is mobilizing efforts to reach the station. Airlifting food supplies is also under consideration.
While some areas experienced relief from the rain, the release of surplus water from dams continued, exacerbating water-logging issues. Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an appointment on December 19 to discuss the widespread rain and flood situation in the southern regions of the state.
The districts of Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli have borne the brunt of the intense rainfall, with Kayalpattinam in Tuticorin receiving a staggering 95 cm of rain in 24 hours.
With the Thamaraparani River surging due to water release from the Papanasam dam, homes in low-lying areas of Tuticorin and Tirunelveli are inundated. Over 7,000 people have been evacuated from these four districts, highlighting the severity of the flood situation.
