Intense Rainfall Hits Tamil Nadu's Delta Regions: Public Cautioned Against Water Activities

Chennai, Nov 28 (NationPress) Intense rainfall has been continuously affecting the Delta regions of Tamil Nadu, which include Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam as of Thursday.

District Collectors have issued a caution, advising the community against entering water bodies for activities such as bathing, washing clothes, or swimming.

Additionally, parents are encouraged to prevent their children from playing in flooded areas and to avoid standing beneath trees or in open areas during thunderstorms.

The Nagapattinam district recorded substantial rainfall, with Kodiyakarai receiving 20 mm of rain, followed by Vedaranyam, Tirupoondi, Thirukuvalai, and Thalaignayer, each reporting 10 mm.

Several low-lying regions, including Sebastian Nagar and Sivasakthi Nagar in Velankanni, as well as Valliammai Nagar and Gomathi Nagar in Nagore, have faced flooding issues.

The administration of Nagapattinam district has set up a 24-hour control room along with a toll-free helpline (04365-1077) to assist with emergencies related to the rain.

Coastal areas are experiencing rough seas, with waves receding a few meters in Nagapattinam's Vedaranyam.

Fishermen have been advised to remain on land, and all mechanised and motorised boats are to remain docked.

In Cuddalore, sea conditions are hazardous, with waves exceeding 10 feet, significantly higher than the typical 2 feet.

Coastal areas such as Thazhanguda, Devanampattinam, Singarathoppu, and Sothikuppam have been impacted.

The Cuddalore Port has raised Cyclone Warning Signal Number 3 due to the strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Rescue teams, including 270 personnel, swimmers, and necessary equipment, are on standby at 16 fire stations throughout the district.

The Fire Department has equipped rescue boats, safety gear, ropes, wood-cutting machines, and generator-powered lights for emergencies.

Furthermore, the Cuddalore district administration has established 28 cyclone shelters, 14 multi-purpose safety centers, and 191 temporary relief camps. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF), consisting of 30 and 25 personnel respectively, are also prepared.

All relevant departments, including Revenue, Rural Development, Highways, Electricity, Public Works, Fire Services, and Police, have been instructed to implement precautionary measures.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued yellow and orange alerts for various districts in Tamil Nadu.

A yellow alert has been issued for Chennai and surrounding districts, whereas an orange alert has been directed at the Delta regions, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall. The Delta areas, including Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai, may experience extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 24.4 cm on Thursday, according to the weather department.

Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Puducherry are likely to receive intense rainfall of up to 24 cm in isolated areas.

Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam are also expected to face heavy rainfall.

The RMC forecasts heavy rain over the coastal regions and northern Tamil Nadu from November 29 to December 2. Strong winds, gusting up to 65 km per hour, are anticipated to impact the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on November 28.

A cyclone, named Fengal, brewing over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to advance toward the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing heavy downpours to the region until December 1.