Heavy Rain In Tamil Nadu, Flood-Like Situation In Tirunelveli Region (image-twitter/chennaiweather)
Intense rainfall in Tirunelveli region has created flood-like situation with notable impacts seen at Courtallam and Manimutharu Waterfalls in Tamil Nadu, reports ANI.
Since Sunday morning, southern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, and Ramanathapuram have experienced substantial rainfall. As per News Minute report, the rainfall is due to the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the Indian Ocean and southwest Bay of Bengal off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena has informed the reporters on Monday that the rain and flooding were unprecedented and the Army, Navy and Air Force had been called out for assistance.
Tamil Nadu Chief minister MK Stalin has said that he is monitoring the relief work and is in contact with officials. He added that he has also instructed the party cadres to assist the ongoing relief work.
Taking to X, “Since yesterday, I have been talking to ministers and high government officials about the condition of the southern districts affected by heavy rains and monitoring the recovery and relief work. I have instructed the club comrades from the rain-affected districts to immediately help the public on the ground and support the officials involved in the relief work,” he wrote in Tamil. In the following post, he announced the additional appointment of ministers on wartime basis and shared the flood helpline contact.
அதி கனமழையால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள தென் மாவட்டங்களின் நிலை குறித்து நேற்று முதல் அமைச்சர்களுடனும் அரசு உயர் அதிகாரிகளுடன் தொடர்ந்து பேசியும் – மீட்பு மற்றும் நிவாரணப் பணிகளைக் கண்காணித்துக் கொண்டும் இருக்கிறேன்.
மழையால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள மாவட்டங்களைச் சேர்ந்த கழகத் தோழர்கள்,… pic.twitter.com/FIvNhf52ce
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 18, 2023
Marking the highest rainfall ever recorded in Tamil Nadu, Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi recorded 932 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Due to the heavy rainfall, a public holiday has been declared in Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Tenkasi districts on Monday, December 18.
Authorities including the Collectors of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts, have issued warnings to the public to avoid the Thamirabarani river as the discharge rates have increased since 8 am on December 17.
The Meteorological department has issued warnings about cyclonic winds affecting the eastern coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and the Gulf of Mannar. They have issued red alert to South Tamil Nadu as heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy falls is likely to continue over South Tamil Nadu on 18th December.
Heavy to Very Heavy with Extremely heavy falls (above 204.4 mm) likely to continue over South Tamil Nadu on 18th December. pic.twitter.com/6kscTI0j2A
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 18, 2023
Additionally, thunderstorms and lightning are anticipated at a few places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on the same date. In response to the warning issued by the Meteorological department, fisherman from Nagapattinam district have refrained from going to sea.
