Tamil Nadu News: According to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, up to ten people lost their lives as a result of the two days of intense rain that damaged several southern districts and interrupted daily activities. The senior bureaucrat said that the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) prediction of heavy rain was also “wrong,” since the impacted districts experienced extremely heavy rain within two days.
Ten Lives Lost in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin
“Ten people have died in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts due to rain. While some lost their lives due to wall collapse, some died due to electrocution,” he told reporters at the Secretariat. He provided some information about the rain, stating that record-breaking rainfall and flooding were experienced in the southern districts, mainly in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. “Total casualties are nine,” Tirunelveli District Collector KP Karthikeyan stated, providing details on the district’s flood situation.
Schools and Colleges Shut in Thirunelveli and Tenkasi
Due to the intense rain, Thirunelveli and Tenkasi district schools and colleges have been given a holiday. In a similar vein, Thuthukudi district has been declared a general holiday. Due to the intense rain in these areas on Wednesday, train services were also affected. A list of cancelled and partially cancelled trains was released by the Southern Railway. Both Nagercoil-Tirunelveli Exp Spl and Nagercoil-Kanniyakumari Exp Spl were completely cancelled.
Rescue Efforts Battle Rising Waters
While rescue and relief efforts were underway, floods continued to engulf several areas. (Images from the Waterfalls at Manimutharu) In a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin requested that the damage caused by the Michaung storm and the intense rains in the southern districts be classified as a national calamity and that a disaster relief fund be established. He claimed that the damage inflicted by the intense downpour in the southern districts has not been witnessed in a century. In order to support livelihoods and repair public infrastructure damaged by the recent flooding in the southern districts of the state, MK Stalin asked PM Modi for financial support.
CM MK Stalin Appeals for National Disaster Fund
“As an immediate relief, I will ask fund from the National Disaster Fund. Tamil Nadu has faced two disasters continuously, and I will urge PM to release the funds at the earliest,” stated CM MK Stalin. “I have asked for 7,300 crore for immediate relief and 12,000 crore for permanent relief. We have announced Rs 6000 as relief to those affected by the flood. It is being distributed. Only when we get the relief fund from the PM can we complete the relief work fully”, said Chief Minister MK Stalin. “Thirunelveli and Thuthukudi districts have faced severe rain. Kayalpatnam has received 94cm rains,” the Chief Minister added.
Ministerial and Officer Deployment for Rescue and Relief
Stalin said, “Eight ministers and 10 IAS officers were sent there for rescue and relief. 15 teams of SDRF and 10 NDRF teams are on the ground with other forces. 230 men trained by SDRF are also employed. 12,553 people have been rescued and placed 143 shelters. Food is being distributed using helicopters in flooded areas. Along with me, the Chief Secretary has been monitoring the situation and speaking with concerned district officers,” MK Stalin said
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