At least five people have died in rain-related incidents in the State. The active north-east monsoon is expected to bring more rain in the next few days.
Heavy rain was reported from many parts of the State during the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Monday. The weather stations at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district and Dharapuram in Tirupur district each recorded 11 cm rain followed by Kuzhithurai in Kanyakumari district (9 cm) and Manimutharu in Tirunelveli district and Pechiparai in Kanyakumari district (8 cm each).
Nitish Kumar (1), Ajeesh Kumar (6) and Karthika, a 22-year-old pregnant woman, were killed when the mud wall of a house collapsed and fell on their house in a village near Madurai early on Monday. About 25 houses were damaged in the village.
Two persons who were injured are being treated at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. Collector C. Kamaraj visited the village and distributed Rs. 2-lakh solatium.
Flood warning
The first flood warning for five districts downstream the Vaigai dam was issued at 2 p.m. on Monday. Both Periyar and Vaigai reservoirs are fast filling up. The dams recorded the highest inflow of the season on Monday.
The Vaigai dam received 9,886 cusecs from its catchment pushing the level to 66 feet, said S. Vijayakumar, Executive Engineer, PWD. The second warning will be issued once the storage level touches 68.5 feet, and the final flood warning, when it reaches 69 feet.
In Villupuram, a 70-year-old N. Kanagambal of Adichanur in Arakandanallur block was killed when the wall of her house collapsed on Sunday night. Her husband Narayanan (75), who sustained injuries, has been admitted to hospital.
In Coimbatore, a 10-year-old girl was killed when the wall of her house collapsed at Kuniyamuthur early on Monday.
Excess rainfall
Y.E.A. Raj, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, said that the State had recorded 38 cm of rain from October 1 to November 22. This was in excess by 18 per cent. Normal rainfall is 43 cm for the entire season between October and December.
According to officials of Meteorological Department, the easterly waves and weak low pressure may bring more rain across the State.
The forecast is isolated heavy rainfall over south Tamil Nadu for two days.
