Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has urgently appealed to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for additional helicopters to aid in the rescue and relief efforts in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Unprecedented rainfall over the past two days has led to severe consequences, with some areas experiencing their highest recorded rainfall since 1871. Approximately 40 lakh people in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts have been severely affected, particularly in Srivaikuntam and Tuticorin towns, where flooding in the Thamirabarani river and surrounding areas has caused a critical situation.
In a letter dated December 19, 2023, CM Stalin informed Rajnath Singh that the state government has mobilized officers, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams for rescue and relief operations. However, distribution of relief materials has been hampered by inundated roads, making helicopter assistance crucial.
Currently, 4 helicopters from the Air Force, 2 from the Navy, and 2 from the Coast Guard are engaged in rescuing stranded individuals and delivering food supplies to affected areas. Given the scale of the disaster and the numerous habitations requiring assistance, CM Stalin urgently requested the deployment of more helicopters.
The Indian Army has already completed a successful rescue operation in Nanalkadu, evacuating 57 women, 39 men, and 15 children. The focus is now on moving to the village Padmanabhamangalam enroute to Srivaikuntam, where approximately 250 people are stranded and awaiting assistance.
The heavy rainfall on December 18 has severely impacted normal life in Thoothukudi, with floods disrupting vehicular movement and causing widespread inundation. Rescue operations are underway in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari, with the Southern Railways announcing the operation of a special train from Vanchi Manyichchi Station to Chennai for stranded passengers.
As both state and central governments launch extensive rescue and relief operations in response to the severe flood crisis in Southern Tamil Nadu, urgent measures are being taken to address the immediate needs of the affected population.
