As the incessant torrential downpour continues to batter the southern state of Tamil Nadu, as many as 31 people across four districts have lost their lives so far, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.
FM Sitharaman's statement came as she was speaking about the state-of-the-art equipment repertoire housed by the Regional Meteorological Department in Chennai including three dopplers. According to her, heavy rainfall in the worst-affected four districts - Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin- on December 17 was forecasted on December 12.
Heavy rain batters Tamil Nadu: Status quo
Incessant rainfall disrupted normalcy in several parts of Thoothukudi and Tuticorin districts which remained cut off. Tenkasi and Kanyakumari also received heavy rain on December 17 and 18 resulting in floods.
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A team of Central government officials visited Tamil Nadu on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by unprecedented flooding and rainfall in four southern districts.
The central team members visited several areas, inspected damage and interacted with affected people and held discussions with officials. They were taken in boats to several areas in Thoothukudi.
Flood relief rolled out by the Centre and State
In light of the distressful situation in the rain-hit southern state, the Centre has already rolled out Rs 900 crore funds in two instalments to be used in this financial year to Tamil Nadu, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.
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On Thursday, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced flood relief of Rs 6,000 to the people thriving in the worst affected areas in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. Moreover, aid of Rs 1,000 per family has also been promised to those affected in Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts.
Rescue operations underway
The Army teams have been mobilised promptly in a bid to rescue stranded people from several regions of Thoothukudi district including Karungulam and Alwarthirunagari.
Besides the Army, the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard troops are also proactively contributing to relief work alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), TN Disaster Response Force (TNDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, and police personnel.
According to Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, 10 helicopters and 323 boats have also been deployed in the rescue drive.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team provided relief assistance to the marooned in association with the Thoothukudi district administration. So far, 27 tonnes of food materials have been provided to people.
Normalcy restoration evident in areas
With receding flood waters and tireless relief and rescue work by the forces, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi, three out of the four worst-affected districts are finding their way back to normalcy
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The Railway passengers stranded at Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district arrived in Chennai from Vanchi Maniyachchi by a special train.
A Defence release said: "The Coast Guard continued the flood relief effort on the second day with two ALH helicopters getting airborne with 350 kg of (700 packets) provided by the state administration to airdrop in affected areas of Tuticorin."
