In the last two days of massive rainfall that lashed several parts of southern districts in Tamil Nadu, nearly 10 people have lost their lives.’
“Ten people have died in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts due to the rainfall. While some lost their lives due to wall collapse, some died due to electrocution,” Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena told reporters.
He said that the forecast of heavy rainfall by India Meteorological Department was also ‘wrong’ as extremely heavy rainfall was received in the affected districts within two days.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Meets PM Modi
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss relief initiatives for the southern districts of Tamil Nadu that is currently hit by massive rainfall and floods.
Stalin reached Delhi on Monday for the meet with the PM, which was scheduled at 10:30 pm. Following the meet, the CM left for Thoothukudi.
Stranded Train Passengers Rescued
All the 809 train passengers stranded at the heavily flooded Srivaikuntam near Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi were rescued on Tuesday. “Out of the 809 passengers, 509 people were evacuated from the Srivaikuntam Railway Station,” Southern Railways said.
The rescued were taken by buses to Vanchi Maniyacchi Railway station from where a special train is set to take them to Chennai. Of the 300 other train passengers who were accommodated at a school in Srivaikuntam, 270 passengers moved out on their own as most of them belonged to the nearby places.
Relief Work
Nearly 1,343 personnel from Central and state government agencies including the Navy, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force were involved in the rescue and relief operation work, the state Chief Secretary said.
He further said that as of now 160 relief camps have been set up and about 17,000 people have been accommodated in those camps. “About 34,000 food packets have been supplied to people and even now, we cannot reach some villages as water level is yet to recede”, he added.
Nine helicopters were also involved in relief work and through them 13,500 kg of food was supplied to stranded victims.
Christmas Celebrations Cancelled
Amidst the heavy rains and severe floods prevailing in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, the state Raj Bhavan has decided to cancel the “Celebration of Advent Christmas” that was scheduled to be held on 21.12.2023 (Thursday), Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan said in a press release.
(with PTI inputs)
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