![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Shalini-Rajaneesh-415x217.jpg)
Rains, flooding bring southern TN to its knees
PTI, Dec 18, 2023, 11:53 AM IST
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Flooding-in-South-TN-PTI-620x417.jpg)
Image credit: PTI
Chennai: Paddy fields, roads and bridges were submerged and many residential colonies came under sheets of water in several regions of southern Tamil Nadu as heavy rains, unprecedented in recent times wreaked havoc in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi districts of the state.
The rains and flooding are unprecedented and the services of the Army, Navy and the Air Force have been requisitioned, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena told reporters on Monday, adding 84 boats have been deployed for rescue and relief initiatives. The government has declared December 18 a public holiday in the four districts.
Additional boats have been mobilised for regions such as Thoothukudi and nearby towns of Srivaikundam and Kayalpattinam. As many as 7,500 people were evacuated and housed in 84 relief camps.
Through the Common Alert Protocol, SMS alerts were sent to 62 lakh people. NDRF and State Disaster Response Force personnel, Fire and Rescue Service and police teams evacuated people from heavily inundated localities and housed them in schools and marriage halls.
Southern Railway said traffic has been suspended in the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur section, between Srivaikuntam and Seydunganallur, as ‘the ballast’ has been washed away and the track is ‘hanging’ and water is flowing over the railway tracks.
Several train services operated via the southern regions have been fully cancelled, some partially suspended and some trains have been diverted.
A link road to Madurai near Ottapidaram was completely cut off. Water level crossed 4-feet at Ozhuginacheri in Kanyakumari district submerging paddy fields as the Pazahayaru river is in spate.
Residential colonies such as Meenakshi Garden and Railway Colony in Nagercoil were among the residential colonies that have witnessed heavy inundation. Stranded people were swiftly evacuated by fire and rescue and disaster response force personnel.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IndianClicks_GVega_Udayavani_300x250_12032021_1_1.gif)
Related Articles More
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/arrested-PExels-5-150x113.jpg)
CBI busts cyber crime network operating from Gurugram; 43 arrested
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IndiGo-PTI-rep-150x74.jpg)
IndiGo flags higher inflationary environment, escalation in fuel, airport costs
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/amit-shah-16-129x115.jpg)
Amit Shah lauds inclusion of Assam’s ‘Moidams’ in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SC-37-150x115.jpg)
Unclaimed compensation lying with MACTs & labour courts a pan-India issue: SC
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Army-contingent-marching-rep-PTI-150x84.jpg)
Opposition slams PM for Agnipath remarks, accuses him of doing ‘petty politics’ on Kargil Vijay Diwas
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BSY-PTI-150x83.png)
Karnataka HC adjourns POCSO case against ex-CM Yediyurappa for a week
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rain-School-children-Skymet-weather-2-150x90.jpg)
Heavy rain: School holiday on Saturday in Dharwad and Belagavi except Ramdurg
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/arrested-PExels-5-150x113.jpg)
CBI busts cyber crime network operating from Gurugram; 43 arrested
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Shalini-Rajaneesh-150x79.jpg)
Shalini Rajneesh to be new Chief Secretary of Karnataka
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Salman-Khan-PTI-1-150x104.jpg)
Salman residence firing: NBW issued against Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.