Rain in Kumari and Tirunelveli throws normal life out of gear

Owing to the downpour, road and rail route to neighbouring Kerala, which has been devastated by rain and flood, have been paralysed according to reports reaching here.

Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in some parts of Kanniyakumari for the next 24 hours. The district recorded a rainfall of 94.45 mm on Tuesday. Most of the dams in both Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli were either full or nearing their full capacity on Wednesday.

The Perunchani dam recorded its highest ever inflow of 30,000 cusecs (in the last 10 years) on Tuesday. A total of 218 families have been accommodated in five relief camps on Wednesday morning., he said.

Five houses were damaged in rain in three taluks, Vilavancode, Thovalai and Kalkulam. However, there was no loss of lives or injury. Two fishermen, who were engaged in anchoring boats at Thengapattinam, were reported missing. Search and rescue operations were on.

In Tiruenveli district, there was a heavy discharge from Papanasam and Servalar dams into the Tamirabarani following heavy rains in catchment areas, said Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish. Shencottah received a maximum of rainfall of 272 mm on Tuesday. A group of 33 devotees, who were stranded at a temple in Chockampatti near Kadayanallur, due to the rise in flow in Karuppanadhi were rescued by fire and rescue services personnel.

Meanwhile, the Southern Railway partially cancelled Kollam-Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri Express (16724), which was scheduled to leave Kollam on Wednesday between Kollam and Nagercoil due to landslip between Kuzhithurai and Eraniel.

The Thiruvananthapuram–Tiruchy intercity express train (22628) scheduled to leave Thiruvananathapuram on Wednesday was also partially cancelled between Thiruvananthapuram and Nagercoil. Further, Kannyakumari – Mumbai express train (16382) scheduled to depart from Kannyakumari, was diverted through Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul and Erode.