Widespread rain in southern districts; Uppar Odai in Thoothukudi experiences flood

Hope of good NE monsoon rises in S. districts as widespread rain triggers flood in irrigation channels. Kalakkad, Kovilpathu, Karuvelankulam bridges blocked, but cleared. Forest Dept. bans bathing in Thalaiyanai. Agriculturists start farming ops. in Thoothukudi. Pottaloorani-Chekkarakkudi causeway washed away. Uppar Odai swells, filling Korampallam tank. Stagnant water in Thoothukudi pumped out. Pazhaiyar flooded, public warned. Chittar dam releases water, Gothaiyar in spate. Kanniyakumari district records good rainfall.

Widespread rain in the southern districts has raised hope of good northeast monsoon this year.

Though Tirunelveli district did not experience any rain on Thursday, there were intermittent rain overnight. Following heavy rain in Kalakkad area, Nangunerian channel experienced flood on Thursday. As the flood submerged the Kalakkad – Chidambarapuram causeway due to blockage, Kalakkad municipality workers removed the block to restore normality. Similarly, blocks in Kovilpathu and Karuvelankulam bridges were also removed to ensure smooth flow of water.

Forest Department has banned bathing in ‘Thalaiyanai’ near Kalakkad due to flood. “Tourists can only visit this area until the flood subsides,” a forest official said.

Rainfall in the district (in mm): Ambasamudram 37, Cheranmahadevi 43, Manimuthar dam 13, Nanguneri 15, Palayamkottai 40, Papanasam 20, Radhapuram 15, Tirunelveli 16, Servalar dam 27, Kannadiyan Channel 33, Kalakkad 65, Kodumidiyar dam 52, Moolaikkaraipatti 140, Nambiyar dam 17, Manjolai 32, Kakachi 44, Nalumukku 49 and Oothu 27.

With the widespread rain continuing in Thoothukudi district and the rain-fed irrigation tanks getting significant inflow, jubilant agriculturists have started farming operations. As the northern, western and the northwestern parts of Thoothukudi district experienced heavy downpour for the second consecutive day on Wednesday night, it triggered flood in the wild streams taking water to rain-fed irrigation tanks.

Consequently, a low-level causeway connecting Pottaloorani and Chekkarakkudi was washed away in the flash floods even as the construction of an elevated bridge is going on at this point. Since the movement of vehicles and people between these two villages was completely paralysed, holiday was declared for five schools in and around Chekkarakkudi.

 Following heavy downpour in Maniyachi, Kayathar, Kadambur and Ottapidaram, Uppar Odai swelled on Wednesday night to bring copious influx of water into Korampallam tank near the Collectorate.