Tamil Nadu Rains: Drone Footage Shows Swathes Of Thoothukudi Submerged; 'Red Alert' Issued For Four Districts | Updates

Tamil Nadu Rains: Severe waterlogging and flood-like situation persisted in several districts of Tamil Nadu on Monday as incessant rainfall continued lashing the southern part of the state. All schools, colleges, private institutions, banks and financial institutions in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts were shut after overnight downpour.

In Thootukudi city, large swathes remained submerged through Monday as a result of continuous rainfall that has been lashing several parts of Tamil Nadu since Sunday, as per drone visuals shared by news agency ANI. A 'red alert' has been issued for Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tiruvaneli and Kanyakumari districts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Tamil Nadu Rains Top Updates

- The IMD on Monday issued a 'red alert' for Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tiruvaneli and Kanyakumari districts.

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"For the next 24 hours, 'red alert' to continue for Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tiruvaneli and Kanyakumari districts," S Balachandran, Director of Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

- On Tuesday (December 19), heavy rain is likely to occur at one or two places over the Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu.

- A drone footage published by ANI on Monday showed large areas of Thoothukudi district submerged as a result of non-stop downpour.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Several areas of Thoothukudi city face severe waterlogging and flood-like situations as the region continues to receive heavy rainfall over the past few days.

Drone visuals show the impact of the heavy rainfall in the city. pic.twitter.com/QSD5i3vxKW

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023

- All schools, colleges, private institutions, banks and financial institutions in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts remained shut on Monday due to heavy rainfall. The state government had ordered the closure in the wake of the downpour.

ALSO READ: Watch: Manimuthar Waterfall Swells As Heavy Rain Lashes Tamil Nadu; Schools, Colleges And Banks Closed In These Four Districts

- Thootukudi is one of the worst-affected districts. On Monday, Kovilpatti, Ettayapuram, Vilathikulam, Kalugumalai, Kayathar, Kadambur, Vembar, Surangudi, and other areas of Thoothukudi experienced rainfall that had been underway since Sunday morning.

- As many as 40 lakes in the Kovilpatti area reached full capacity as a result of the prevailing downpour across southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

- A total of 250 teams of the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Tenkasi districts, Tamil Nadu minister KKSSR Ramachandran informed.

"As a precautionary measure, 250 State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Tenkasi districts. A few more members of the State Disaster Response Force will arrive in Tenkasi district today. Even I will be visiting the flood-affected areas," said Ramachandran.

(With inputs from ANI)