WhatsApp helpline for Tuticorin, Thoothukudi & other south TN districts grappling with heavy rains

Chennai Rains: As severe rainfall pummels through southern Tamil Nadu, the government has stepped forward by sharing a WhatsApp helpline number (+918148539914) to extend aid and relief to those affected. As rescue operations persist amidst the widespread chaos and floods, reports on December 18 highlighted the state government's initiative.

The State Government of Tamil Nadu has responded to the ongoing rain that has submerged vast patches of the region, causing significant disruptions to communities and infrastructure. To strengthen the rescue and relief efforts, teams from the National and State Disaster Response Forces, alongside military personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have been mobilised.

Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, acknowledging the severity of the situation, has deployed over 84 boats for rescue operations in the low-lying areas affected by the heavy rains. These concerted efforts have resulted in the evacuation of approximately 7,500 individuals, providing them refuge in the state's established relief camps dispersed across the affected regions.

WhatsApp to streamline rescue ops amid heavy rains 

Consequently, to streamline coordination and provide swift assistance, the government has established a helpline number, +918148539914, dedicated specifically to managing relief and rescue operations in South Tamil Nadu. Additionally, leveraging the Common Alert Protocol, the administration disseminated critical information via SMS alerts to 62 lakh people.

In response to the crisis, Chief Minister MK Stalin has appointed ministers and senior IAS officers to oversee the situation in severely impacted districts, including Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari, where the IMD has issued a red alert. Emphasising the significance of public cooperation with government directives, he has urged all citizens in the state to stay informed and heed precautionary measures for their safety.

Residential areas in Nagercoil and Kanyakumari, grapple with heavy rainfall

The devastating impact of the incessant rainfall extends beyond inundation. The Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli released a substantial volume of water, worsening the crisis. Additionally, increased water levels in the Amaravathi dam along the Amaravathi River in Tirupur have  led to flood warnings for nearby residents.

Residential areas in various districts, such as Nagercoil and Kanyakumari, continue to deal with severe inundation, disrupting normal life. Transportation services, notably train operations, have been severely affected, with services disrupted, suspended, or diverted due to flooded tracks and damaged infrastructure.