20,000 Still Stranded In Tamil Nadu Floods, Army Joins Rescue Ops

Chennai:

In the wake of unprecedented floods ravaging southern districts of Tamil Nadu, the Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have joined palms to undertake rescue operations. With at the least 20,000 folks nonetheless marooned in varied areas, the state of affairs is additional compounded by the discharge of over 1.2 lakh cusecs of water from the overflowing Tamarabarani River.

“Srivaikuntam and the areas around it are the worst affected. But there is no danger to anyone’s life. Today we should be able to reach these areas with supplies. Air dropping of food and relief continue,” Tuticorin Collector G Lakshmipathy advised NDTV.

Srivaikuntam is grappling with the aftermath of the floodwaters inundating giant components of the area. The Army and NDRF groups try to achieve inaccessible pockets the place stranded residents await evacuation. Air-dropping of meals and reduction provides continues in a bid to supply important support to these minimize off from floor entry.

“Everything is a challenge whether it is bringing food, reaching out to people, or bringing them to safety. We have launched aerial dropping of food in areas where even boats aren’t able to go. A fire engine was washed away yesterday. Even the NDRF could not go,” Tuticorin MP MK Kanimozhi, who’s reaching out to communities on the bottom, advised NDTV. 

The state of affairs stays dire, as pockets in Tuticorin stay inaccessible regardless of the collaborative efforts of the rescue groups. The difficult circumstances persist although it has not rained in Tuticorin for the previous three days.

Chennai and its surrounding areas, nonetheless reeling from the devastation of Cyclone Michaung, have been pounded by torrential rain, the likes of which have not been seen prior to now 47 years. This double whammy has brought on widespread harm, forcing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to enchantment to the Central authorities for speedy help.

The floods in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Tenkasi districts have prompted Chief Minister Stalin to request the allocation of Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund for speedy reduction and infrastructure restore. This request highlights the necessity for pressing nationwide help to handle the continuing disaster.

“While a comprehensive assessment of the permanent damage will take time, we request an interim assistance of Rs 2,000 crore from the NDRF to bolster the ongoing efforts for livelihood support and repairs and restoration of the public infrastructure battered by the unprecedented floods,” Mr Stalin posted on X. 

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, who met PM Modi yesterday, in his memorandum careworn the urgency of the state of affairs and expressed gratitude for the PM’s consideration to Tamil Nadu’s wants throughout these difficult occasions. The harm attributable to the heavy rain within the southern districts, coupled with the latest cyclone, necessitates swift motion and allocation of funds for restore and rehabilitation.

Rescue and reduction operations, led by State Disaster Response Force and NDRF groups, are underway within the affected districts. Despite challenges posed by inundated roads, helicopters are being utilized to ship reduction supplies to the affected areas.