Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu – January 8, 2024
In a heartbreaking incident, a nine-year-old girl lost her life after a wall collapsed on her residence in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, as the state grapples with severe and persistent rainfall. The victim, identified as Monisha, tragically succumbed to her injuries when the wall collapsed during the heavy downpour. Monisha’s 12-year-old brother, Mohandas, sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment at the Government Thiruvarur Medical College.
The catastrophic event unfolded on Sunday night, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the region, which has already witnessed extensive destruction in the aftermath of December’s rains. The ongoing heavy rainfall has triggered flooding in various parts of Tamil Nadu, including the capital city of Chennai.
Floodwaters even breached the Government Thiruvarur Medical College, infiltrating the pregnancy ward and prompting the authorities to relocate patients to higher floors. The affected areas, including Nannilam, Kudavasal, Valangaiman, Mannarkudi, and Needamangalam in Thiruvarur district, experienced intensified rainfall on the fateful night.
In response to the escalating situation, district collectors in eight Tamil Nadu districts declared a holiday for schools on Monday. Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai districts announced the closure of educational institutions, while schools in Ariyalur, Chengalpattu, Kallakurichi, and Tiruvannamalai also followed suit.
The inclement weather has prompted Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy to announce the closure of all schools and colleges in the Union Territory on Monday.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, Nagapattinam district recorded the highest rainfall of 167 mm on Sunday night, while Chennai’s Ennore Port received 92 mm of rainfall. The weather department attributes the continuous rainfall to strong easterly/northeasterly winds prevailing at lower tropospheric levels, creating favorable conditions for moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal over Tamil Nadu.
The tragic demise of young Monisha serves as a somber reminder of the dire consequences of the ongoing weather crisis in the region, urging authorities and communities to prioritize safety measures and preparedness in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.