TN rain: IAF choppers comes for rescue

The southern districts of Tamil Nadu, particularly Tirunelveli and Tuticorin, found themselves in the grip of a relentless downpour, compounding the woes of the region. The havoc wreaked by heavy rainfall prompted swift and coordinated efforts from the Indian Army and the state government to rescue stranded citizens and provide relief. On Monday, the three armed forces collaborated with the Tamil Nadu government in rescuing people affected by the deluge. Tragically, three lives were lost in rain-related incidents in Tirunelveli district, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Indian Army’s rescue operations in Thoothukudi’s Vasavappapuram area saw 118 individuals rescued from flood-affected areas. The state government, recognizing the unprecedented nature of the rainfall, deployed Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers from the Sulur air base to airdrop essential relief materials in Tirunelveli. Tuticorin’s Kayalpattinam witnessed a historic deluge, recording a staggering 95cm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Monday. Several towns in Tuticorin reported rainfall exceeding 60cm, leading to rivers and channels swelling beyond capacity. Major reservoirs in the region, including Papanasam, Manimuthar, Pechiparai, and Perunchani, reached full capacity as torrential rain lashed their catchment areas. The 37 rainfall monitoring stations in the region registered exceptionally heavy rainfall, emphasizing the unprecedented and extraordinary nature of the weather event. As the affected areas grapple with the aftermath of the cyclone and relentless rain, the collaborative efforts of the armed forces and the state government become crucial in providing timely assistance to those in distress.