10 dead in Tamil Nadu rain fury, schools, colleges shut in several districts

As many as 10 people were killed after heavy rain lashed several parts of southern districts in the last two days, disrupting normal life, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena said on Tuesday.

The senior bureaucrat said the forecast of heavy rain by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) was also ‘wrong’ as extremely heavy rain was received in the affected districts within two days.

“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.

Giving some details about the rain, he said southern districts, particularly Tirunelveli and Tuticorin witnessed record rainfall and flooding.

Meanwhile, Tirunelveli District Collector KP Karthikeyan gave details on the flood situation in the district, and said, “Total casualties are nine…”

In view of heavy rain, a holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Thirunelveli and Tenkasi districts. Similarly, a general holiday has been declared for Thuthukudi district.

Train services were also hit on Wednesday due to heavy rain in these districts. The Southern Railway released a list of cancelled/partial cancelled trains.

Nagercoil-Kanniyakumari Exp Spl and Nagercoil-Tirunelveli Exp Spl were fully cancelled.

Several areas continued to reel under floods as authorities carried out rescue and relief operations. (Visuals from Manimutharu Waterfalls)

DECLARE NATURAL CALAMITY: MK STALIN WRITES TO PM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and gave a request petition to declare the damage caused by the Michaung storm and the heavy rain in the southern districts as a national calamity and to provide a disaster relief fund.

He said that the damage caused by heavy rain has not been seen in history in 100 years in the southern districts.

MK Stalin requested PM Modi to provide financial assistance to bolster the efforts for livelihood support and repair of public infrastructure affected by the recent flooding in the state’s southern districts.

“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.

Talking about the precautionary measures, 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.