In response to unprecedented rainfall affecting the districts of Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi, the Indian Navy has dispatched two boats to assist the people in Thoothukudi. Due to adverse weather conditions preventing flights from landing at the Thoothukudi airport, the Navy flight landed at INS Parundu with the two boats, which will be utilized for rescue operations, as confirmed by a Defence spokesperson. The Chief Secretary, Shiv Das Meena, had previously sought assistance from the armed forces, including IAF choppers for airdropping food packets in affected areas.
In support of the rescue efforts, the Indian Coast Guard has stationed the ship Sujay close to Thoothukudi. The ship is equipped with a Chetak helicopter and will conduct sorties for providing relief materials, carrying out rescue missions, and surveying the flood-affected areas, contingent on weather conditions. Coast Guard District Headquarters Number 16 in Thoothukudi is closely coordinating with the administrations of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, deploying six disaster relief teams and an offshore patrol vessel with an integral helicopter. Additionally, the Coast Guard is reinforcing its assets in the region, including a fixed-wing Dornier aircraft and an ALH helicopter at Madurai. Multiple disaster relief teams, including a rescue diver team with paddle boats and kayaks, have been sent to Thoothukudi to address the flooding situation. A total of 17 teams from SDRF and NDRF, consisting of 425 personnel, are engaged in rescue operations across the four southern districts, with additional NDRF teams set to join efforts in Thoothukudi. Reports indicate widespread flooding in residential areas, prompting appeals for assistance from the affected residents. Canals breached bunds in the early hours of Monday, causing water to inundate residential areas.
Post Your Comments