Heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Ditwah wreaked havoc across several delta districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, causing extensive flooding and severely disrupting daily life. Low-lying and vulnerable areas in semi-urban and rural regions bore the brunt of the natural fury, with floodwaters entering homes and disrupting livelihoods.
Record Rainfall and Widespread Impact
Nagapattinam district recorded the highest rainfall in the state, averaging more than 14 centimeters during the 24-hour period ending Saturday morning. Some weather stations reported exceptionally heavy downpours, with Kodiyakarai receiving 25cm, Vedaranyam 19cm, and Velankanni 13cm. The relentless rain continued throughout Saturday, adding another 8.4cm in Nagapattinam district from morning to evening.
Authorities identified numerous vulnerable locations across affected districts: approximately 154 in Trichy, 154 in Thanjavur, 195 in Tiruvarur, 176 in Mayiladuthurai, and 68 in Nagapattinam. By afternoon, storm signal number 5, indicating danger, was hoisted at Nagapattinam port as conditions deteriorated.
Mass Evacuations and Rescue Operations
District administrations swiftly moved residents from low-lying and high-risk areas to relief camps established in cyclone shelters, multi-purpose evacuation centres, community halls, and schools. Authorities confirmed that food was being provided to all those housed in the camps.
Nagapattinam collector P Akash stated, "We have deployed about a dozen motor pumps across the district to drain stagnant water from low-lying areas. We urged people living in high-risk zones to shift to shelters until the cyclone passes."
Among the worst affected were residents of Tsunami Quarters and government-built row houses, where floodwaters entered homes and created difficult living conditions. However, some residents of government row houses and tsunami relief housing refused to relocate to shelters despite repeated official requests, citing privacy concerns.
Resident Concerns and Damage Assessment
Instead of moving to shelters, many affected residents demanded new homes or urgent repairs to their deteriorating buildings. Selvi, a 50-year-old resident of Pookaara Street in Velankanni, expressed her frustration: "We have been living in this house built by an NGO after the tsunami. Every time it rains, water leaks through the ceiling. We have repeatedly asked for a new house."
Meanwhile, NDRF and TNDRF personnel stationed in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam worked tirelessly to clear fallen trees, collapsed structures, and debris while carrying out rescue operations for stranded residents. District administrations have begun assessing the extent of damage, including counting affected houses and livestock lost due to the heavy rainfall and flooding.
