THENI: The southern districts, which witnessed a heavy spell last week due to the depression and the subsequent low pressure in the bay, were again battered by rains on Thursday.
Reports of several pockets getting cut off, rain water entering agricultural lands, villages getting marooned, bridges being washed way, landslides, etc., were pouring in from various parts of the southern region.
In Bodi Mettu, vehicular movement was thrown out of gear for around 10 hours as landslides occurred in three places owing to heavy showers on Wednesday night. As a result vehicles were diverted via Kumily on Thursday.
The stretch was restored by afternoon on Thursday and normal traffic resumed.
People in other parts of Theni district also experienced severe hardships. Water entered into 20 houses located on the banks of river Kottakudi near P C Patti after the flow increased heavily in Kottakudi river due to a heavy downpour on Wednesday. Earlier a flood warning was issued by officials to those residing on the banks.
Meanwhile, the Valaiaru river was also in spate. Several acres of farmlands were inundated in Marakkamalai and Poothipuram.
In Virudhunagar district, a youth and around 150 goats were washed away in flash floods in two separate incidents near Srivilliputtur on Thursday.
In another incident, 30 devotees who went to Ayyanarkoil near Rajapalayam were stranded due to flash flood. Sources said the heavy rainfall in the forest areas of Shenbagathoppu near Srivilliputhur from Wednesday night till Thursday morning triggered the floods.
The twin towns of Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai also bore the brunt of the downpour as rain water inundated residential areas at Manakavalam Pillai Nagar, Sakthi Nagar and other areas. Interior parts of the district like Sankarankovil, Radhapuram, Veerakeralamputhur, Palayamkottai and Ayikudi experienced heavy rains. Several areas were flooded and residents were forced to spend sleepless night in schools and marriage halls.
The causeway bridge between Gangaikondan and Vadakarai villages was submerged in water affecting traffic movement in the region.
Owing to heavy rain at Kayathar, Kalugumalai and Kadambur a bridge at Oothupatti near Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district, was completely damaged on Thursday.
On Wednesday night, a total of 396 mm of rainfall was recorded in the district and three places witnessed over 300 mm.