Chennai:Villupuram district in northern Tamil Nadu continues to face severe flooding, with after levels rising above the danger mark, causing widespread disruption. On Monday, Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the area to assess the damage, interact with affected residents, and distribute relief materials.
The flooding has severely impacted transportation, with Southern Railway temporarily suspending all train services passing through Villupuram. This decision followed the rising water levels, which compromised the structural integrity of critical railway bridges.
According to Southern Railway, the suspension affected services on two vital bridges, Bridge No. 452, located between Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam and Bridge No. 84 between Tirukoilur and Tandarai. These bridges saw water levels rise beyond the danger mark, which led to changes in train schedules.
In a statement, Souther Railway said, "Due to the suspension of operations on Bridge No 452 and Bridge No. 84, caused by rising water levels, the following changes have been implemented in train services."
This led to the cancellation, diversion, and short-term termination of multiple train services, including express and superfast trains. The Railway Department hinted that services would resume once the safety conditions improve.
The floods have also disrupted road traffic, with the Chennai-Tiruchirappali National Highway being impacted, particularly around Villupuram. Many low-lying areas have been submerged, and crucial links to nearby towns, such as the bridge connecting Villupuram to several villages in Tiruvannmalai, were washed away, causing further isolation of affected areas.
Meanwhile, the depression that caused these floods, which was the remnant of the cyclonic storm Fengal, weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area on Monday, according to the India Meteorological Department. The system is now expected to move towards the southeast and the adjoining Arabian Sea, off the coasts of Kerala and Karnataka, on December 3.
The IMD said, "The depression (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm “Fengal”) over north coastal Tamil Nadu & Puducherry moved nearly westwards and weakened into a Well Marked Low-Pressure Area at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 02nd December 2024, over North Interior Tamil Nadu. The remnant low-pressure area is likely to emerge over the southeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea off the north Kerala-Karnataka coasts around 3rd December 2024.
In addition to Villupuram, the floods have severely impacted other districts, including Cuddalore, where the River Thenpennai is in spate, and Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which are experiencing some of the worst floods in decades. Access to roads and towns has been severely restricted due to heavy inundation, with many vehicles washed away in Krishnagiri.
Read More
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