Thoothukudi's Rain Crisis: How Waterlogging Hampers Cremations Amid Bird Haven

Particularly, rainwater has surrounded the cremation ground located in the central part of the city, causing great difficulty in burying and cremating the deceased, the public has alleged. People fear serious public health issues if the situation persists.

Therefore, the public has urged the relevant department officials to take immediate action to drain stagnant rainwater and provide necessary facilities at the cremation grounds.

Devastating visuals of waterlogging across several areas of the district highlight the downsides of the rains and underscore the difficulties they cause for locals.

On the flip side, on Thursday, due to heavy rainfall in the region, the salt pans in Thoothukudi began resembling water bodies.

The area became a haven for various species of water birds, and the number of small fish, insects, and other aquatic organisms has increased significantly. Such sightings of water birds feeding in large numbers in salt pans are rare. However, the conditions created by this year's heavy rainfall transformed the area into a favourable habitat for birds.

Consequently, groups of birds could be seen landing in the salt pans and actively foraging for food, creating scenes that leave onlookers mesmerised. Their joyful, energetic movements while searching for food captivate nature enthusiasts and the general public.

Over the past few days, the Thoothukudi district has also been seeing large flocks of Rosy Starling birds, creating stunning formations as they soar across the sky. According to Ornithologists, these birds arrive in southern districts as part of their winter migration from Northwest Asia and Eastern Europe.

The stark contrast between the visuals from the past few days and today underscores the unprecedented nature of the rainfall, especially in a region known for its captivating beauty.

- ANI