Tirunelveli
Tourists flocked to the Old Falls at Courtallam at the weekend. Heavy rainfall in recent days triggered heavy flow of water that prevented several tourists from nearing the Five Falls and the Main Falls, as the district administration enforced a ban on bathing.
It had been raining since Friday night and it had been drizzling intermittently since 4 p.m., on Saturday, sources said. The onset of southwest monsoon by May-end brought showers in Courtallam and the pleasant weather prevailing gave cheers to tourists, who waited for their turn in queues to take a shower.
The tourists at Manimuthar were also prevented from bathing as water was gushing out forcefully. The recent rains gave rise to water level in some of the dams. Among various rain gauge stations, Gundaru dam received the maximum amount of rainfall recording 57 mm till 8.30 a.m., on Saturday.
The amount of rainfall (in mm) recorded in other stations was: Shencottah 33, Kodumudiaru dam 30, Tenkasi 28, Papanasam 27, Adavinainar dam 20, Servalar 19, Gadana Nathi dam 15, Ramanathi dam 15, Karuppanathi dam 12, Radhapuram 11, Manimuthar 9.20, sources from PWD said.
In Tirunelveli district, downpour caused a flood-like situation on the pathway to the Nambiyar temple, which is located in the hilly area near Kalakad in Naunguneri taluk, and it caused hardship to devotees.
The water flow was heavy between 3.30 p.m., and 4 p.m., once the water flow receded, the devotees crossed the path and reached a safe distance, Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish said. However, around 25 devotees desired to stay inside the temple premises as they wanted to offer special prayers to fulfil their wishes.
Conceding to their demands, necessary arrangements were made in the temple to stay safe. Adequate force from Fire and Rescue Services Department were deployed at the locality to render assistance, if required, the Collector said.
