Watch: Heavy rain lashes southern districts of Tamil Nadu

#WATCH | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Floods in various parts of the city as heavy rainfall continues to impact life and property. pic.twitter.com/9csZlFFA9N

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2023

As the situation unfolded, a coordinated rescue effort involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Air Force (IAF), railway authorities, and local officials was put into action.

NDRF personnel conduct a rescue operation in a flooded area after heavy rains, in Tuticorin district, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Passengers, stranded since the early hours of Monday, endured a harrowing night in train coaches at Srivaikuntam railway station.

#WATCH | Normal life severely affected as many parts of Thoothukudi remain inundated due to heavy rainfall in the area#TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/BEQVbLYM0u

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2023

IAF helicopters, equipped with necessary accessories, were deployed to lift stranded passengers from the railway station.

#WATCH | Indian Air Force helicopters are deployed for HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions in Tamil Nadu due to unprecedented rains in the last 24 hours. Four passengers including a pregnant woman & baby aged 1.5 yrs were winched up and taken safely to… pic.twitter.com/zSXB1kF8Ue

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2023

Railway Protection Force officials distributed essential food packages to the stranded people.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Heavy rains in Tirunelveli create flood-like situations; visuals from Courtallam Waterfalls and Manimutharu Waterfalls pic.twitter.com/q2sAjZAqAa

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023

The initial response involved housing 300 individuals in a nearby school, while the rest sought refuge at Srivaikuntam railway station.

Heavy rain lashes several parts of #TamilNadu; IMD issues heavy rain alert for next seven days.

📷Flash floods in many places at Thoothukudi. Efforts to rectify breaches in water bodies carried out by district administration.#AkashvaniVideos : Lakshmanan pic.twitter.com/h6zLAKseBC

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 18, 2023

Additional pumps to drain water were dispatched from Chennai to the affected southern districts. About 200 boats were deployed as part of the rescue efforts, showcasing a multi-agency approach to addressing the crisis.

A house was swept away in the Town area of #Tirunelveli due to heavy rains.#NellaiRains #TirunelveliRains pic.twitter.com/j2iiUf3z7z

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) December 18, 2023

An IMD official said the intense weather in Tamil Nadu, along with parts of Kerala, is expected to subside from Wednesday (December 20). However, the road to recovery remains long, with the state confronting the dual challenges of cyclone aftermath and unprecedented rainfall.

Four southern districts of Tamil Nadu are flooded and cut off from rest of the state. Lakhs of people are stranded without food, water and electricity. The Army and Air Force are set to join the rescue, while Naval choppers are already on the job, along with NDRF.

But TN CM MK… pic.twitter.com/gI9UDXZxLK

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 19, 2023

The resilience of the affected communities and the swift response from authorities, armed forces, and relief agencies highlight the importance of preparedness in the face of unpredictable natural disasters.