‘If someone had warned us…’: After heavy rain, villages in TN’s Thoothukudi struggle without food, water and power

Another resident of Agaram who was on his way to hospital on a motor-bike with three of his family members noted no one came forward to provide them food and they received some help only today (Tuesday). (Express Photo)

“Many streets are narrow and it is difficult for bigger boats to come in and smaller rubber boats cannot withstand the force of flowing water. Residents are stranded in their houses hoping for some help. Unlike Chennai, here, the water is flowing continuously and is not stagnant. So rescue measures are becoming difficult,” Rahul told indianexpress.com.

In areas like Alwarthirunagari panchayat, some villages are fully inundated, he added. “Camps are actively getting food supply only since Tuesday morning. For the past two days, people had a difficult time without access to any food,” Rahul said.

He spoke about how a pregnant woman from Masilamanipuram had called the emergency helpline. “She was unwell since Monday evening and she developed seizures. Two ambulances had gone to her area but returned saying they could not go further due to the water level. Even the rescue boat could not reach her place. She was rescued on Tuesday by some workers and she is doing fine,” he said.

Ten people have died in the heavy rain that lashed the southern parts of the state in the last few days. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard have been engaged in rescue operations across the rain-affected districts.

Several villages, like Murapanadu, Alwarkarkulam, Agaram, Vallanadu and Naanalkadu in Srivaikuntam taluk, have been plunged into darkness for over three days now.

The residents hope the authorities will step in soon and take measures to drain out the stagnant water and rescue power soon. (Express Photo)

Muthu Kumar (27), an auto driver from Alwarkarkulam, a village in the interior that thrives on agriculture, said they are unable to step out of their houses. Farmlands in the area are under water up to 12-15 feet high, Muthu added. “Crops and drains are severely damaged. This is a body blow to the farmers as they will incur a minimum loss of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000,” Muthu said.

“The situation is similar in Kongarayakurichi. Residents are staying on the top floor of their houses as the water has entered the entire house. I am not able to contact anyone as there is no connectivity and there is no transportation as well,” he said, adding that no official has visited them or offered any help.

Suresh, an assistant professor carrying out the rescue work as part of the V M Chatram Development Trust, said the entire area of Naanal Kaadu, Agaram, is surrounded by flood water. Standing in the dark on the Thoothukudi highway, Suresh said there was no power in the entire area.

“From Vallanadu to Agaram, the electric poles are damaged and the roads are in pretty bad shape. We had been providing aid to all those in need alongside the highway. People are struggling for food, drinking water…they say no medical camps have been set up properly,” he said.

Another Agaram resident who was on his way to a hospital on a bike with three of his family members said they only received some help on Tuesday. “My house is completely damaged. All valuables like mixer, grinder etc are damaged. There is no drinking water. No one gave any warnings. Soon after the heavy rain, the power got disconnected and there was no connectivity. If someone had warned us…we would have been better prepared,” he added.

(With inputs from M Abisudha)