Rain lashed parts of the city for the third consecutive day on Monday evening. While the temperature in the mornings and afternoons remained warm, overcast skies in the evenings leading to rain have brought respite to the residents of the Temple City.
Water remained stagnant in many residential areas in the city, and areas around Goripalayam and Periyar bus stand experienced traffic snarls after 7 p.m. when the rains were steady.
Many residents of the city have also been greeted by the sight of usually dry Vaigai riverbed filled with water for the last couple of days. Many people could be seen taking a dip in the river near the AV Bridge.
Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) said that though they had reduced the discharge from Vaigai dam from 1,050 cusecs to 60 cusecs in the last few days, they expected the flow to continue with the rains in the city and the surrounding areas which had wetted the riverbed.
In the last three days alone, the city has received 56 mm of rainfall which has brought hopes of a temporary groundwater recharge for many areas in the city reeling under water scarcity.
“If the rain persists for a few more days, it will definitely help keep water in the river flowing and help recharge the groundwater levels in many surrounding areas,” the officials said.
A forecast by the Indian Metrological Department has predicted rainfall of more than 70 mm for the district in the next one week.
