The wet spell in the delta region continued on Monday with some parts of the central region receiving heavy downpour.
While farmers in tail-end areas of Nagapattinam district, who have undertaken direct sowing, are worried that the rain could affect the young crop, the wet spell is largely being viewed as beneficial for farmers in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts as well as the neighbouring districts of Pudukottai and Ariyalur.
Heavy rain continued in different parts of Ariyalur district for the second consecutive day on Monday, leading to good inflow into tanks and ponds.
The district received an average of 52.4 mm during the last 24-hours that ended at 8.30 am on Tuesday. Thirumanur recorded the maximum rainfall of 115.4 mm, followed by Ariyalur with 42 mm. While Jayankondam received 33 mm, Sendurai recorded 19.4 m.
The widespread rain for the last two weeks at regular intervals has augured well for farmers and water managers. While some tanks and ponds in Ariyalur and Jayankondam areas have filled up, water level has gone up in several other water bodies.
Chetti Eri, a big tank in Ariyalur town, has reached its capacity due to continuous rain, thereby raising hopes of ground water table recharge. Similarly, the water level has gone up steadily in several other water bodies including Durai Eri, Valajanagaram Eri and Karuppaiah Kuttai. An official said more than 80% of water bodies in Ariyalur taluk have almost filled up.
Meanwhile, Budalur, Papanasam, Tiruvaiyaru, Thirukattupalli, Kumbakonam and Ayyampettai in Thanjavur district, Manalmedu and Nagapattinam in Nagapattinam district, Valangaiman and Tiruvarur in Tiruvarur district and Udaiyalipatti, Malaiyur and Alangudi in Pudukottai district received heavy rain on Monday.
Budalur in Thanjavur district recorded the maximum rainfall of 126.80 mm in the region during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Rainfall
The chief amount of rainfall recorded in various parts of the region during the same period: Thanjavur district (in mm): Thanjavur - 25, Vallam 33, Kurunkulam 29, Tiruvaiyaru 74, Thirukkattupalli 40, Neivasal Thenpathi 20.40, Kumbakonam 38.40, Papanasam 86, Ayyampettai 32, Thiruvidaimarthur 18, Lower Anaicut 35 and Eachanviduthi 26; Nagapattinam district - Nagapattinam 32.70, Thirupoondi 27.20, Talaignayar 14.40,Mayiladuthurai 27.40, Sirkazhi 23 and Manalmedu 70; Ariyalur district - Thirumanur - 115.4, Ariyalur 42, Jayamkondam 33, and Sendurai 19.4; Tiruvarur district -Tiruvarur 37.2, Kodavasal 38.4, Valangaiman 41.2, Mannargudi 18 and Thiruthuraipoondi 13.4; Pudukottai district – Udaiyalipatti 82, Malaiyur 56.40 and Alangudi 36.40.
In Tiruchi district, Thuvakudi (29.30), Lalgudi (25.20), Tiruchi Town (20.30) and Musiri (18 mm) registered moderate rainfall.
