The depression in the Bay of Bengal drenched several parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday and is threatening to wet more areas in the next couple of days under the influence of the well-marked low pressure area. The shower in the midst of a weary summer is a welcome sign for the standing crops and the parched townsmen alike.
The condition resulted in a maximum of 30 cm rainfall at Papanasam in Tirunelveli district during the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, while Alangulam registered 27.4 cm even as the Manimutharu and Ambasamudram in the region recorded more than 25 cm rainfall during the period.
Widespread and intense rainfall was recorded in all parts of the State and the continued downpour in catchment areas has ensured that their reservoirs get significantly increased inflows even as the storage position in major dams went up infusing hope into farmers and habitats that depend on their supply for potable water.
The level in the Periyar dam went up by two feet within eight hours to touch 113.4 feet. The Tamirabharani was in spate while the level in Papanasam dam rose by eight feet to cap 40 feet.
A three-year old boy was killed in a wall collapse incident in Kanyakumari district that is experiencing rainfall for the past three days. Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts too received showers while downpour drenched the Kamudhi region.
Rain in catchment areas of the Cauvery ensured that Billigundlu, the measuring point in the course of the river, registered an increase in flow, at 1,800 cubic feet by Wednesday evening. In Udhagamandalam, boating was curtailed and the Ooty-Conoor train suffered a short delay as uprooted tress fell on track.
The central districts recorded an exceptionally good and intermittent rainfall, inundating low-lying areas, catching the under-prepared civic officials unawares in mid-summer.
The rain brought down the temperature in Vellore region, which saw a dip in mercury levels. Arcot, Wallajahpet and Vellore led the rainfall table in the region. Villupuram and Cuddalore districts experienced sharp and intense rain even as it disrupted power supply in around 25 villages in Kattumannarkoil taluk of Cuddalore district. However, the coastal areas are expected to experience only scattered rainfall in the next couple of days. Chennai might experience sporadic rainfall and a dip in the maximum temperature during the period.
