800 passengers stranded as rains paralyses many districts of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for all schools, colleges, private institutions, banks and financial institutions in several areas as IMD predicts heavy rainfall.

Moderate thunderstorms & lightning with rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places over several districts of Tamil Nadu & Karaikal. 

Light rain is likely in isolated places in several districts of Tamil Nadu in the next three hours. Due to heavy rains, unprecedented in recent times, wreaked havoc in the district of Tamil Nadu, causing floods.

As many as 800 passengers onboard a Chennai-bound train were stranded at Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. 

The district administration rescued around 300 stranded passengers and shifted them to nearby government schools.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Tuticorin was held up en-route due to heavy flooding and road breaches.

Southern Railway has now reached out to both NDRF and State government officials to extend maximum assistance in evacuating the stranded passengers.

In the meantime, the priority remains the supply of food and water to the stranded passengers.

Food packets have been distributed to 200 passengers in the school by the State Police, while local residents provided food for the 100 passengers stranded at the station.

The Railway administration is actively coordinating to access Srivaikuntam Railway Station with essential supplies, including food, water, and temporary lighting arrangements.