- The Southern Air Force of the Indian Air Force deployed its Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the relief operation.
- Indian Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force have been mobilized to carry out rescue and relief operations.
- The Indian Army rescued flood-affected people in Vasavappapuram area of Tuticorin.
Due to very heavy rains in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli (Nellai) and Tuticorin (Tuticorin) districts are experiencing flood-like conditions. Indian Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force have been mobilized to carry out rescue and relief operations.
The above forces assist civil authorities (as requested by the Government of Tamil Nadu) by conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Tirunelveli:
At least four people, including a woman, have died due to rain-related showers in Tirunelveli district due to unprecedented heavy rains caused by cyclonic circulation.
Pattati (75) from Natarajapuram, Sivakumar (55) from Palaykula Vanigarpuram and two old men from Tirunelveli died. Due to incessant rains in the area since Sunday morning, there have been casualties due to collapsing walls and falling trees.
Meanwhile, nearly 50 villages in and around Srivaikundam are completely inaccessible due to the floods. Roads leading to Srivaikundam are flooded. Almost thousands of people are stranded. An NDRF team is trying to reach the area. The areas are said to be without electricity and no internet connection.
Following Chennai, the southern districts including Tirunelveli, Thenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari have been experiencing non-stop rain since Sunday morning. As all the major rivers in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts are overflowing, rail connectivity has been cut to these four districts.
Helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been deployed to rescue people stranded in the floods and to deliver food and essential supplies. In a press release, Southern Railway said concerted efforts are being made to restore traffic and evacuate stranded passengers at Srivaigundam railway station.
Army, Air Force Join Relief Ops
The Southern Air Force of the Indian Air Force deployed its Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the relief operation. Air Force Base Sulur is involved in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Food and medical packages are being airlifted in Air Force’s Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts.
The Indian Army rescued flood-affected people in Vasavappapuram area of Tuticorin. 118 people from the area were rescued.”Due to incessant rains in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Army’s relief convoy was activated in Vasaipuram, Tamil Nadu today. 13 people, including 17 women and children, were evacuated in the first column till 9:30 pm.
12 women including a pregnant woman, six children, an infant and 12 others were evacuated in the second column. Simultaneously, 26 women, 10 children and 28 men were evacuated by the third column,” the Indian Army said in a statement. Chennai Defense Division PRO said that Army personnel helped rescue more than 100 people, including 54 women, a pregnant woman and 19 children, near Tuticorin.
Chief Minister’s letter to the Prime Minister
Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to appear in person on December 19 to discuss the impact of rains and floods in the southern parts of the state.
The four southern districts of Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Thenkasi, and Tirunelveli have been affected by heavy rains. Tuticorin Kayalpatnam has received 95 cm of rain in 24 hours.
Due to the release of water from the Papanasam dam, the Thamaraparani river was overflowing, flooding houses in the low-lying areas of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli.More than 7,000 people have been evacuated in these four districts
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) are finding it difficult to reach the underwater areas. Discharge from reservoirs and lakes continues in the districts.
18 trucks with food and other relief items have been sent to Tuticorin from neighboring districts and three NDRF teams have been sent to the flood-affected districts.
