Unrelenting Rainfall in Tamil Nadu Sparks Massive Relief Operation by Indian Air Force

December 23, 2023: In the aftermath of relentless rainfall that battered Tamil Nadu for two consecutive days on December 17 and December 18, four districts are grappling with severe disruptions, leaving citizens in dire straits with shortages of food and water.

According to a report by the news agency ANI, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has undertaken a massive relief operation, air-dropping over 11 tonnes of essential supplies in 12 different locations across the rain-ravaged Thoothukudi district on Saturday. The IAF has, to date, air-dropped a staggering 59 tonnes of relief materials in various rain-affected areas in southern Tamil Nadu.

The relief efforts are not limited to air drops, as a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, accompanied by the police, executed daring rescue operations to evacuate individuals stranded in the SIPCOT industrial area on Saturday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena personally inspected the flood-hit areas in the district on the same day. A report from Press Trust of India (PTI) detailed that Meena assessed the extent of damage caused by the incessant rains.

One of the severely affected areas is Antoniyarpuram, where relief activities are reportedly in full swing. The Thoothukudi-Palayamgottai National Highway witnessed the breach of a bridge near Antoniyarpuram due to the extreme rainfall, triggering floods in the region. Additionally, the bridges at Eral and Attur on the Thoothukudi-Tiruchendur road have suffered severe damage.

Restoration efforts are underway in several inundated areas, including Srivaikuntam, Attur, Eral, Agaram, and Kayalpattinam. A central team has already conducted an inspection of the flood damages in the district.

The situation remains critical as citizens continue to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating rainfall. The combined efforts of the Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force, and local authorities aim to provide much-needed relief to the affected population and expedite the process of rehabilitation and recovery.