Southern dists receive light to heavy rain pushing up water level in dams

Madurai: Southern Tamil Nadu experienced a soggy day, with mild to heavy rain pounding the districts for the past 24 hours, flooding most low-lying areas, destroying a few huts while also pushing up water level marginally in major reservoirs.

Pamban in Ramanathapuram received the highest rainfall with 183 mm.

Mandapam received 176.90 mm, Rameswaram, 165.10 mm, and Thangatchimadam 168 mm rain. Frequent drizzles socked the city throughout Monday which remained mostly cloudy with occasional rain on Tuesday. Madurai and suburbs saw on an average 7.60 mm rainfall, while Madurai airport recorded the highest with 30 mm.

However, continuous rain failed to down the spirits of devotees who braved the drizzles on Tuesday evening to go Diwali shopping. While open-air vendors were hit the most as rain played hide and seek, large traders remained mostly unaffected.

Many places in Ramanathapuram registered over 100 mm rainfall and flash flood. Inspecting the areas in Pamban, Ramanathapuram collector K Veera Raghava Rao said that 39 places have been identified as flood-prone areas. A total of 15 squads involving all department officials would be in action for monsoon-related works.

Officials said that all steps were taken to minimize any flood-related damage. Well-equipped 23 permanent and 148 temporary shelters will be open for the needy. Sivaganga received, on an average, 38.03 mm rain while Ilayangudi has the highest with 62 mm.

Heavy rain destroyed 12 huts and damaged 46 houses in Kanyakumari, which saw on an average 31,10 mm rain. Water levels in dams were seen only a few feet below their capacity. Chitar–1 stood at 16.10 feet against its capacity of 18 feet and Chitar-11 at 16.20 feet, nearly two short of capacity. The water level at Petchiparai dam is 32.80 feet and Perunchani 71.85 feet.

While many parts in Theni district received a little or no rainfall, heavy rain in catchments increased the inflow to dams. The inflow to Mullaiperiyar dam was 3,199 cusecs on Tuesday. The water level started rising gradually standing fianlly at 126.75 feet in the morning. Vaigai dam inflow was 3,634 cusecs and has water level touching 62.93 feet.