Historic rain lashes out in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli

A low pressure was formed recently in the Indian Ocean south of Kanniyakumari and it turned into a depression while moving towards Lakshadweep. While on the move the depression resulted in downpour in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. 

Thoothukudi received highest rainfall in the state with 200.8 mm. This is the highest ever rainfall recorded in Thoothukudi in the entire history. Previously recorded highest rainfall in Thoothukudi was 188 mm and that was on December 3, 1955. 

As a result of the historic rainfall in Thoothukudi the railway line in Thoothukudi railway station got submerged. Because of the submerged tracks trains were stopped in Thoothukudi Melur Railway station. Also the educational institutions, both schools and colleges, were closed owing to downpour. 

Similarly Tirunelveli district too received heavy rainfall. Papanasam received the highest rainfall of 190 mm in the district. Other dams in the district, Servalaru and Manimutharu received 102 mm and 67.6 mm respectively. 

Before the rain many dams in the district went bone dry but after the downpour the water levels in the dams rose sharply. Servalaru dam recorded the sharpest increase of 30 feet in a single day. Also water flow at Courtallam increased rapidly. 

Though it is not season in Courtallam there was sudden flow of water in the falls, on Tuesday, and the tourists were joyous in seeing the falls but the joy was short-lived as bathing was banned after increase in water flow on Wednesday morning. Similarly, Kumbarai falls in Theni district too was closed for tourists after the water flow increased in the falls. 

Because of the downpour educational institutions in Tirunelveli district too were declared holiday but the plus one students had to write the exams as it was planned earlier. 

However Kanniyakumari district did not receive heavy rainfall and the average rainfall was just 14 mm. However the boats were not given permission to venture into sea from Rameswaram to Kanniyakumari and still the sea is rough in Gulf of Mannar region. 

Also the third stage of cyclone warning is still present in Thoothukudi and Pamban ports. However the farmers and the salt pan workers are affected as thousands of hectares of farm lands and salt pans were submerged in the rain.