On the fifth consecutive day of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in flood-ravaged Thoothukudi district, the Indian Air Force executed air drops of over 11 tons of relief materials across 12 locations. The southern Tamil Nadu city faced heavy rains on December 18 and 19, causing landslides and floods.
Updating the public on the ongoing relief efforts, the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force shared on ‘X,’ “On the fifth day of continued HADR operations in south Tamil Nadu, affected by landslides and floods, IAF MI-17 V5 and ALH-Dhruv air-dropped over 11 tons of relief materials in 12 different places in Thoothukudi District. This aggregates to an airdrop of 59 tons of relief material.”
The Srivaikuntam dam in Thoothukudi district overflowed on Saturday due to rainfall in the catchment areas of the Thamirabarani River, further exacerbating the flood situation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena inspected rain and flood-affected areas in the Antoniapuram region of Thoothukudi district. In response to the challenging conditions, a holiday was declared for all schools and colleges in Thoothukudi district on Thursday.
Chief Minister MK Stalin assured that the state government had implemented all necessary precautions and measures for the welfare of the affected population. He reported that 12,653 people had been rescued and were accommodated in 14 relief camps. Additionally, he requested additional financial support for the southern districts from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian Navy had earlier initiated relief efforts, distributing food and other essential items at Srivaikundam railway station on December 19. The combined efforts of the state government and the Centre have mobilized a substantial rescue and relief operation to aid those affected by the floods in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari.