The 1923 Tamirabharani floods was caused by over 42.3 cm of rain spread over two days in composite Tirunelveli then. It had caused damage to Tirunelveli similar to that faced by south Tamil Nadu now.
Around the same time, a century ago, Srivaikundam railway station and some other stations were flooded for four days from December 16.
The Hindu had then reported on the damage to Ambasamudram bridge and breaches in various railway lines, including the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur lines. There were reports of loss of about 20,000 cattle then due to flooding and on damage suffered by salt pans and railway and telegraph communication, which were cut off and about 10,000 people were left homeless.
