Chennai Rains: Due to continuous heavy rainfall and severe waterlogging in four districts of Tamil Nadu, the state government declared a holiday for today, Tuesday, December 19. 

The districts affected by the rainfall are now facing a flood-like crisis, including Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi. This decision entails closures not only for schools and colleges but also for private institutions, banks, and financial institutions across these areas.

As per reports, rainfall continued into Sunday night, particularly in Thoothukudi district, exacerbating the already dire situation. Various regions within the district, such as Kovilpatti, Vembar, Ettayapuram, Vilathikulam, Kalugumalai, Kayathar, Kadambar, and Surangudi, experienced continuous rainfall from early Sunday morning. The consequential flooding saw approximately 40 rivers and lakes in the Kovilpatti area reaching their brim.

Rajesh, the District Development Officer of Thoothukudi, emphasised the meticulous monitoring and swift repair work undertaken, mentioning, "Forty lakes in Kovilpatti Panchayat are full. Two lakes were damaged, and we repaired them. We are continuously monitoring other lakes too. If there is a breach in the lake, we are ready to fix it immediately," as reported by ANI.

Also, the state government, in a bid to streamline relief operations, appointed ministers and two IAS officers dedicated to each of the affected districts. Tamil Nadu's Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran, confirmed their vigilant oversight of relief efforts and precautionary measures in these districts.

As a measure, 250 members of the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force were deployed across Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Tenkasi districts. Additional SDRF personnel are expected to arrive in Tenkasi today. Minister Ramachandran expressed his commitment to visiting the flood-affected areas personally.

The establishment of 19 camps in Tirunelveli, along with four in Kanyakumari, two in Thoothukudi, and one in Tenkasi, aims to accommodate the displaced populace. The Thachanallur relief camp in Tirunelveli has been instrumental in offering essential provisions and sustenance to those affected by the floods and waterlogging.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forewarned of heavy rains in several districts on December 18, including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, and Pudukottai. Similarly, they predict continued inclement weather, with thunderstorms and lightning expected in select areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on December 19. Additionally, the Met department cautioned about cyclonic winds over the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and the Gulf of Mannar.