Heavy rain in Tuticorin

Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed district
on Monday night and in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Official sources said a total of 614 mm rainfall with an average of 32.31
mm was recorded during the last 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Tuticorin, which received 123.6 mm in
that period, followed by 71 mm at Kovilpatti.

The precipitation was so heavy that low-lying areas were inundated in the
12 blocks. Saltpans situated along the Tuticorin coastline were submerged.

Though the rain took a break on Tuesday morning, the municipal office
premises here was flooded, which forced the authorities to pump out the
water.

Traffic was slow in many segments till Tuesday afternoon, as water remained
on road surface, owing to poor drainage facilities.

Since power supply was disrupted in places, soon after the downpour started
on Monday night, a good chunk of residents had sleepless nights, owing to
mosquito menace.

Power was eventually restored only in the morning in areas like Koramballam
situated adjacent to the Collectorate.

Making the matters worse, garbage, which remained uncollected in most of
the wards, owing to lack of an effective solid waste management system, was
seen floated in stagnant water.

District administration sources said that there was no damage or casualty
reported from any part of the district.

The weather bureau had predicted more rain for the next 48 hours, but no
specific warning was issued to fishermen, so far.

Following is the amount of rainfall recorded (in mm) in various parts:
Tiruchendur- 32; Kovilpatti- 71; Vilathikulam - 30; Kulasekarapattinam -
34.2; Ettayapuram - 60; Vedanatham - 14; Vyppar - 35; Kazhugamalai - 47;
Tuticorin - 123.6; Kadalkudi - 47; Kadambur-20; Kayathar - 9; Keezha
Arasadi- 24; Maniyachi - 26; Ottapidaram - 16; Sattankulam - 9;
Srivaikundam - 6.2 and Soorangudi - 10.

Source: The Hindu