Life has been disrupted in four districts of southern Tamil Nadu after heavy downpours resulted into floods in Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.
Till 1:30 am, Tuticorin’s Thiruchendur witnessed 60 cm of rain in just 15 hours, while Tirunelveli’s Palayamkottai witnessed 26 cm rain. In Kanyakumari it was 17.3 cm.
The authorities has announced a public holiday in the affected areas – all schools, colleges, private establishments, banks and public sector firms will remain closed today.
Areas of Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli were submerged from knee-to-waist after water was released from Pechuparai, Papanasam and Perunjani dams.
The district collectors have been directed to make sure the proper management of the water released from the dams.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) a cyclonic situation over the Comorin region is worsening the situation and it had issued a warning of extreme rainfall for today as well.
Taking stock of the situation, state Chief Minister M K Stalin has deployed ministers with a senior bureaucrat for relief and rescue operation with proper monitoring.
He has even advised the district collectors to be prepared with boats and relief centres to evacuate people when required.
Two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the more affected areas in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, while three teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been sent to Kanyakumari.
Police force of 4,000 have also been deployed in addition.
