Tamil Nadu Rains: 500 Passengers Stuck In Tuticorin As Railway Tracks Damaged

As heavy rains lash southern districts of Tamil Nadu, around 500 passengers on Monday were stuck at the Srivaikuntam railway station in the Tuticorin district, according to a report in NDTV.

The station is covered by water on every side, and the trains are immobile due to track damage. Soil erosion in Srivaikuntam has led to the washing away of the ballast supporting the railway tracks, leaving only the iron tracks hanging precariously with cement slabs for support, the report added.

Rescue operations have been halted because the route to the station is inaccessible. The train was en route from Thiruchendur to Chennai. "The passengers are safe. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is trying to reach the station. Efforts are underway to airdrop food," the website quoted Guhanesan, Chief PRO, Southern Railways, as saying.

Heavy rains lashed four districts of southern Tamil Nadu, a week after the state capital Chennai and the northern regions faced the impact of Cyclone Michaung.

Villages, towns, roads and highways in several regions of southern Tamil Nadu including Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi just resemble rivers in spate.

Floodwaters surged into residential neighbourhoods and streets, leading to the inundation of houses and leaving people stranded.

In Nesavalar Colony, Nagercoil, over 100 houses were submerged, prompting authorities to evacuate residents and relocate them to relief centers.

Using ropes, local residents, along with the Fire and Rescue Service and disaster response teams, assisted those stranded in flooded streams to reach safe locations. In Krishnaberi, Tirunelveli, local residents organized resources to rescue those trapped.

Water levels rose beyond four feet in various locations in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, transforming bus termini in both cities into expansive swimming pools. This situation was mirrored in other areas, including Kovilpatti.

Despite a temporary break from rain in some regions, the continued release of excess water from dams contributed to ongoing waterlogging, according to a report in PTI.