Sharp showers that rocked the hill station on Sunday night and on Monday morning uprooted several old trees snapping power cables and leaving around 20 villages on the upper hill in dark.
An old tree near the cemetery here was uprooted. When workers engaged in cutting tree branches to clear the area, a big branch fell on a small temple near the cemetery compound wall and the temple completely collapsed.
Another branch of the tree fell on an electric post and snapped the main power cable supplying power to several villages on upper Kodaikanal.
Observatory in Kodaikanal town, Poomparai, Mannavanur, Poondi, Kavunji, Kookkal and nearby villages on upper Kodaikanal were plunged into dark. Frequent showers disrupted clearing operation and cable restoration work. However, TANGEDCO officials expedited rectification work to restore power supply to these villages. The workers were also advised to check the main cable line on upper Kodaikanal hill.
Meanwhile, revenue officials inspected the spot and advised workers to clear the cemetery area.
Local people appealed to revenue officials to identify and remove aged and dead trees that could fall on the road at any time within the time limit. The revenue officials too assured to take action and advised staff to identify such trees and assess their condition.
Good flow in streams
Sharp showers had increased flow in many falls and forest streams. Already, flow in Silver falls, Pear Shola falls and Moolaiyaru river was good. Flow in Kumbakarai falls near Periyakulam was also increasing.
With good flow in Kumbakarai falls, forest officials lifted the ban on bathing in the falls and permitted tourists to take bath.
Despite intermittent showers, arrival of tourists to the hill station was high during weekends. They reached Kodaikanal to enjoy the cloud-covered hill tips and mist-covered valleys, specialty of the second season.
Sky was overcast in several parts of Dindigul and nearby areas. Sporadic rain was recorded at villages and towns near the Western Ghats in Theni district.
