Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi remain dry while parts of Kanniyakumari district get moderate to heavy rain

The “red alert” of India Meterological Department predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts on May 18 turned to be a damp squib as there was no rain in any part of these three districts throughout the day

The “red alert” issued by the India Meterological Department predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts on May 18 turned to be a damp squib as there was no rain in any part of these three districts throughout the day.

The IMD on May 15 issued “heavy to very heavy rain” alert for Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari districts between May 15 and 19. The IMD’s bulletin, which was shared with the District Collectors concerned by the State government, said the four southern districts will experience isolated “heavy rainfall” from May 15 to 17 and “very heavy rainfall” on May 18 and 19.

Even as the district administrations took all possible efforts to face any emergency situation, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were stationed in all four districts to strengthen relief and rescue operations.

While the Kanniyakumari district, especially places close to the Western Ghats of the district, recorded moderate to heavy rain, there was incessant drizzle in other parts of the district from May 15 to 17. Similar rain pattern was experienced in Tenkasi district where the brief downpour in the hilly region triggered flash floods in the Old Courtallam Falls on Friday.

However, the coastal districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi did not get any significant rain during this period even though the IMD had warned of isolated “heavy rainfall” from May 15 onwards.

Even as the IMD had predicted “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in the four southern districts on May 18 and 19, it was a sunny day in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi on Saturday while Tenkasi experienced brief showers for about 15 minutes in the afternoon.

However, Kanniyakuamri district experienced widespread rain on Saturday afternoon. While places such as Mayilaadi (65 mm), Nagercoil (32), Kozhiporevilai (20), Perunchaani Dam (12), and Puththen Dam (11) received decent rain, the other places experienced only drizzle till 8 a.m. on Saturday.