The “red alert” issued by the India Meterological Department predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts on May 18 turned to be a damp squib as there was no rain in any part of these three districts throughout the day.
The IMD on May 15 issued “heavy to very heavy rain” alert for Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari districts between May 15 and 19. The IMD’s bulletin, which was shared with the District Collectors concerned by the State government, said the four southern districts will experience isolated “heavy rainfall” from May 15 to 17 and “very heavy rainfall” on May 18 and 19.
Even as the district administrations took all possible efforts to face any emergency situation, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were stationed in all four districts to strengthen relief and rescue operations.
