Rain continued in Thoothukudi and other parts of the district on Thursday throwing normal life out of gear. Thoothukudi has been experiencing intermittent rains since Wednesday afternoon. The District Administration has declared a holiday for schools and colleges.
The rainfall caused waterlogging alongside Palayamkottai Road, WGC Road and VE Road and some other low lying areas here.
Rainfall accompanied by strong winds, caused damages to 11 huts, uprooted 27 trees and left 58 electricity poles tilted at several locations in the district, Collector N. Venkatesh told The Hindu . However, there was no casualty.
Zonal teams in 13 highly vulnerable points and four mobile teams were monitoring the situation and with adequate personnel, restoration works were on. The administration is on the alert to tackle any eventuality, he said. TANGEDCO Superintendent Engineer N. Narayanan said EB poles were mostly damaged along the coastal belt of Tiruchendur and Udangudi in district and personnel were attending to fix the problem.
Sources said a small fishing boat had sunk in the shallow waters off Inigo Nagar coast here following high tides. Regional Joint Director of Fisheries, R. Amal Xavier said two country boats owned by fishermen of Punnaikayal was stranded at sea off Periyathalai coast for about four hours, but managed to reach Chinna Muttom harbour after braving the rough sea. Ten fishermen on board the boats were safe.
Besides, 13 country boats from Thoothukudi that ventured into sea a couple of days ago, were anchored at Chinna Muttom harbour since Wednesday evening. Moreover, high tides and stormy winds caused damages to five country boats anchored in Kulasekarapattinam, four boats in Siluvaipatti near Thalamuthu Nagar, four others in Inigo Nagar and three boats in Threspuram. Local cautionary signal three that was hoisted at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, continues to remain, sources said.
Maniyachi received the maximum of 61 mm rainfall among other rain gauge stations in the district until 4 p.m. Kovilpatti – 26.10 mm, Ottapidaram -25 mm, Sathankulam -35 mm, Srivaikuntam – 42 mm, Thoothukudi -10.90 mm, Tiruchendur 34 mm, Vilathikulam -12 mm, Kayathar -26, Kayalpattinam – 34.80 mm, Kulasekarapattinam -36 mm, Keelaarasadi – 2mm, Ettayapuram -10 mm, Kadambur -26 mm, Vedanatham – 3 mm, Kadalkudi -8 mm, Vaippar -12 mm and Kalugumalai – 20 mm.
