Unprecedented rainfall in Tirunelveli district on Monday resulted in three fatalities, prompting the administrations of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts to declare a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday. Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a video conference meeting from New Delhi, assessed flood damage with district collectors from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tenkasi, along with ministers.
Between 8:30 am and 4 pm on Monday, Tirunelveli district experienced an average rainfall of 2.4 cm, with Ambasamudram and Palayamkottai recording 8.8 cm and 4.4 cm, respectively. Over the 24 hours ending at 6 pm on Monday, Kanniyakumari received an average of 11 cm of rain, while Mylaudy recorded a substantial 30 cm. Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi district faced intense rainfall, registering 95 cm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Monday. The heavy rain resulted in tank breaches across Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi, causing the collapse of districts and displacing residents. Helicopters were deployed for rescue operations, relocating around 7,500 people to 84 relief camps. Approximately 84 boats were used for rescues, with additional boats from fishing villages being mobilized.
Major roads to Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Ambasamudram were submerged, leading to the termination of bus services in some areas. Tirunelveli Collector KP Karthikeyan directed health officials to transport pregnant women, nearing delivery, to healthcare facilities. Power supply remained disrupted in various locations in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli. Meanwhile, the Bodimettu hill range experienced heavy rainfall since Sunday evening, causing a three-foot increase in the water level of Vaigai dam within a day, prompting a first-stage flood alert. Similarly, a warning was issued for the Mullaperiyar dam as its storage reached 136 ft on Monday.
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