Heavy rains in Tamil Nadu results in severe waterlogging; IMD issues red alert in 4 districts

Heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, December 19, resulting in severe waterlogging in several parts of the southern state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during the next two-three days.

The IMD has issued a red alert for four districts of the state — Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi — for the next 24 hours. Fifteen trains have been cancelled.

People marooned in residential colonies were evacuated by authorities and were housed in relief centres, such as neighbourhood schools and marriage halls. Three persons were killed in rain-related incidents and three more are feared dead.

Electricity supply was halted in advance due to rains. Mobile phone connectivity was hit in several regions and public transportation was completely affected, severely disrupting normalcy. Road link was cut off in several regions of southern Tamil Nadu following breaches in lakes and flooding.

The storage in major dams and reservoirs in southern Tamil Nadu ranged between 80% and 100%.

Disaster response force teams, fire and rescue service and police personnel are active on the field in rescue and relief operations, which include the supply of food and drinking water. The Navy was involved in rescue operations in Tirunelveli. A helicopter from INS Parundu in Ramanathapuram rescued 17 stranded persons including two pregnant women.