Three people were killed in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday as torrential rainfall countinues to batter the southern state. In light of the exacerbating situation in the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for today for Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi, the most affected districts in the state.
It has been reported that as many as 500 passengers have been stuck for the last 24 hours at the Srivaikuntam railway station in the Tuticorin district as the station has been inundated and the train tracks have been damaged.
Heavy rain batters Tamil Nadu: Status quo
According to the Met Department, as many as 39 regions have experienced incessant torrential downpour. It has also been predicted that squally weather with wind speeds of 40-45 kilometres per hour gusting to 55 kilometres per hour would prevail along and off the south Tamil Nadu coast, over the Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, Lakshadweep area and the adjoining southeast Arabian Sea.
The weather department has warned fishermen not to venture into the sea at these places for today.
Owing to the heavy rainfall, paddy fields, roads and bridges were inundated while several residential colonies came under sheets of water. Road links were cut off in several places following breaches in lakes and flooding which also led to severely disrupted public transportation.
Both electricity supply and mobile phone connectivity has been disrupted by the rain.
IAF deployed in rescue mission
The Indian Air Force, the Army, and other rescue teams have been deployed in the rescue and relief operations. The forces have been mobilised to air-drop relief material for stranded train passengers. It has been told that the unwell passengers would be airlifted by the IAF choppers.
The Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force has deployed its Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the relief mission. The Sulur Air Force Station is in action for Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations.
Food and medical packages are being air-dropped in the Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of the air force.
