Tamilnadu Rains: The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains even today. In view of the rain and floods, Southern Railway has changed the routes of many trains. Schools, colleges and banks closed today in southern districts
Tamil Nadu Rains and Floods: Due to the cyclone that arose near Cape Comorin in the Indian Ocean, the southern districts of Tamil Nadu have been receiving torrential rains since Sunday. This has caused floods in many areas of the state. Around 800 railway passengers are stranded in Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu due to floods. Passengers of the Chennai-bound express train from the temple town of Tiruchendur have been stranded since yesterday at Srivaikuntam, the worst affected area by the floods. More than 525 mm of rainfall has been recorded so far in Thoothukudi.
Due to heavy rains and floods, there has been soil erosion from under the railway line in Srivaikuntam. Iron rails attached to the cement slab are hanging from it. An official said all efforts are underway to rescue the stranded passengers and NDRF officials have taken charge. Tiruchendur-Chennai Egmore Express (train number 20606) left Tiruchendur for Chennai at 8.25 pm on 17 December. The train was stopped at Srivaikuntam railway station, about 32 km from Tiruchendur, due to heavy rains and floods.
Altogether 800 passengers are stranded and about 500 of them are staying at Srivaikuntam railway station and about 300 in nearby schools, he said. Southern Railway announced suspension of rail traffic between Srivaikuntam and Sedunganallur on the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur section as the tracks were completely submerged in floods.
Here the Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain for the next 24 to 48 hours. In view of the rain and floods, Southern Railway has canceled 15 trains, while changing the routes of many trains. Flights have also been adversely affected due to the cyclone. Schools, colleges and banks have been closed today in the southern districts. The situation has worsened the most in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari. Due to floods, so far more than 7500 people have been evacuated to safe places in these districts.
In view of the flood situation, the state government has deployed more than 250 personnel of the State Disaster Relief Force and National Disaster Relief Force in the southern districts. The India Meteorological Department said on Monday that extremely heavy rainfall has been recorded in 39 areas of southern Tamil Nadu. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was observed over Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts and light to moderate rainfall was observed at most places over southern Tamil Nadu, the IMD said in a bulletin. It said there is a possibility of heavy rainfall at one or two places in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi districts on December 19.
