Heavy rain pounds southern Tamil Nadu; schools shut in four districts

Heavy downpour continues to batter parts of Tamil Nadu, causing severe waterlogging in four districts. Several trains have been cancelled and schools shut after the weather agency predicted more showers on Monday and Tuesday. 

The districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi were the most affected, with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) bulletin attributing the showers to a cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area and its neighbourhood.

Water-logging in streets threw life out of gear, with low-lying areas inundated and vehicles stranded. Many state-run hospitals too were flooded. National and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed along with local authorities to evacuate people from flooded and vulnerable areas to relief centres.

The Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for all schools, colleges, private institutions, banks and financial institutions in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts on Monday due to heavy rainfall.

According to IMD predictions, heavy rains can be expected to occur in one or two places over Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi on Monday. Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai and Thanjavur districts will also see intermittent showers. Karaikkal and Puducherry will also see showers on Tuesday.

The lakes rivers and lakes around Kovilpatti have reached full capacity, resulting in overflow and potential hazards. "40 lakes in Kovilpatti Panchayat are full. We are continuously monitoring other lakes too. If there is a breach in the lake, we are ready to fix it immediately," said Rajesh, District Development Officer, Thoothukkudi district.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Stalin ordered release of surplus water into the Kannadian channel, which will carry flood water to arid regions in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, benefitting farmers. The release of surplus water is a preparatory exercise under the Thamirabarani, Karumeniyaru and Nambiyaru (in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of Tamil Nadu) river-linking project, which is nearing completion.

Tamil Nadu's Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran said that various precautionary measures have been taken by the government, including the deployment of 250 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Tenkasi districts. 

He added that 19 camps have been set up in Tirunelveli district, four in Kanyakumari district, two camps in Thoothukudi district and one in Tenkasi district. "The CM has directed us to be on the spot and take necessary measures to ensure people's safety," he said.