Heavy rains continue in southern parts of Tamil Nadu, public holiday declared in four districts

CHENNAI: Heavy rains continue to lash southern Tamil Nadu. A holiday has been declared for schools in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi due to rain. A public holiday has been declared in these districts. Banks have also been given a holiday in these places. The central meteorological department has warned that heavy rain will continue in various parts of the state for the next seven days.

The low-lying areas of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Ramanathapuram were inundated the previous day. At Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi, the railway bed itself was submerged in rain. Railways cancelled 20 trains including Vande Bharat in the state. Trees were uprooted and many buildings and vehicles were damaged in the district.

Children and guardians are advised to call the respective schools to inquire whether schools are functioning in the areas where the rains continue. The authorities have informed that relief camps have been opened in many areas and people have started to be relocated.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister M K Stalin, the ministers are coordinating the relief work in various districts. Rain falls in the backdrop of a cyclonic vortex over the Comorin region adjacent to Kanyakumari. As a result of this, rain will continue today, including in southern Kerala. A yellow alert has been announced in Ernakulam today. The central meteorological department has warned that there is a possibility of moderate rain in Idukki and Palakkad in the next three hours.