Tamil Nadu districts on alert as heavy rainfall triggers flood warnings; schools, colleges closed

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a sweeping holiday for schools, colleges, and various institutions across Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Tenkasi districts due to incessant heavy rainfall. The downpour has caused significant disruptions, triggering severe waterlogging in Thoothukudi, leading to concerns over overflowing lakes and rivers in multiple areas.

The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) predictions have highlighted the potential for heavy rain in concentrated spots across Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, and Thanjavur districts of Tamil Nadu. These forecasts extend to thunderstorms and lightning in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, posing further challenges to the affected regions.

The rainfall situation in Thoothukudi's Kovilpatti area has caused 40 lakes to reach maximum capacity, leading to water overflow. Efforts to control the situation involved the deployment of sandbags and JCB machines in areas like Koosalipatti and Inam Maniyachi where rivers began to overflow.


Rajesh, the District Development Officer for Thoothukkudi district, emphasized their vigilance, stating, "We are continuously monitoring other lakes too. If there is a breach in the lake, we are ready to fix it immediately."

Tamil Nadu's Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran, underscored the government's proactive measures. Notably, 250 State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force have been positioned across Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Tenkasi districts. Additionally, relief camps numbering 19 in Tirunelveli, four in Kanyakumari, two in Thoothukudi, and one in Tenkasi district have been established to aid affected residents.

Ramachandran affirmed, "Even I will be visiting the flood-affected areas," highlighting the government's direct involvement in ensuring public safety. The Chief Minister's directive emphasizes the on-ground presence of officials, reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding citizens.

In the wake of continuous rainfall, districts like Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Tenkasi have encountered significant disruptions to normal life. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings of potential cyclonic winds over the eastern coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and the Gulf of Mannar, intensifying concerns.

(With inputs from ANI)