Floods From Torrential Rains Leave 31 Dead in Tamil Nadu India

A top federal minister in India said on Friday that at least 31 people died in floods and heavy rain in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu this week, as rescuers raced to reach scores still stuck in high waters.

Heavy rains have paralyzed numerous districts in the state, inundating entire neighbourhoods, roadways, and railway tracks just days after a cyclone devastated India’s south-eastern coast.

“The (toll) number could change,” federal Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman told reporters, adding that more than 40,000 people had been rescued, with operations underway to reach those who remain trapped.

The state is one of India’s key electronics and industrial hubs. On Friday, some southern neighbourhoods remained flooded.

“We’re struggling to get tractors and boats with food and essentials through water in the worst-affected areas,” said M. Balamurugan, who has been distributing food and essentials with the help of other volunteers.

According to the weather department, Tamil Nadu received more than 64 mm of rain this week, more than double the 20 mm that would be average at this time of year, which predicts further rain in parts of the state over the next five days.

For some, the floods are reminiscent of storms that killed 290 people and swamped significant swaths of the state capital, Chennai, eight years ago.

In southern India, Tamil Nadu is well-known for its rich cultural legacy and Dravidian-style temples. It is India’s tenth-largest state by land area and sixth most populous state.

Chennai, South India’s capital city, is a major cultural, economic, and educational centre. The state is well-known for its classical dance styles, music, and literature, and it also serves as a significant centre for the Tamil film industry.

Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism underpin the state’s economy, and the state is a major tourist destination for its architectural marvels and scenic beauty, such as the Marina Beach and Nilgiri mountains.

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