CHENNAI: The onslaught continues. And for school kids, the rain holidays seem endless. The northeast monsoon downpour continued for the fourth week on Sunday. With the exception of a few of Western districts, most part of the State were pounded by the dark clouds hovering above.
Weathermen say the trough of low pressure over Cape Comorin means more rains across the State, especially in coastal districts, for at least the next two days.
While Chennai began to witness moderate rains only by Sunday evening, most part of the State came under a heavy spell since early Sunday morning. Most of the key reservoirs reached their full capacity, forcing the local administrations to discharge the waters.
The threat of inundation at several residential areas across the State forced the authorities to issue flood warnings. Vaigai, the second major river in the State flowing through the temple town of Madurai, witnessed flash floods on Sunday as surplus water from Sothuparai, Manjalar and Peranai dams were released. Flood warnings were issued in three of the districts in the river basin — Theni, Dindigul and Madurai.
“This is mainly because release of surplus water from the Sothuparai, Manjalar and Peranai was increased to 700 cusecs,” said M Muthupandi, Executive Engineer of Periyar-Vaigai Basin.
Flood warnings have been issued to districts starting from Villupuram in the north to Tirunelveli in the South. Only Western parts of the State like Coimbatore city seem to have escaped the merciless pounding. Pudukkottai district witnessed the heaviest rainfall with 90 mm on Sunday (from 8.30 am to 4pm), Puducherry (70 mm), Ramanathapuram (60 mm) and Tiruvallur (50 mm). While heavy rains lashed parts of Chennai on Sunday night, weather forecast suggested a ‘moderate’ rainfall for the next two days.
schools shut
Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Chennai on Monday, as also districts including Nagapattinam, Villupuram, Kancheepuram, Thoothukudi, Krishnagiri and Puducherry. Anna University has cancelled exams and classes from November 23 to 28. The revised dates for exams will be announced later.
Puducherry
Heavy rains till Sunday night. Water level in Veedur dam reaches over 30 ft
Coimbatore
Light showers. Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Valparai receive slightly heavier rains
Pudukkottai
Heavy rain since early Sunday; residential areas inundated
Madurai
Flash floods in Vaigai river. Flood alerts issued in Theni, Dindigul and Madurai districts. Water reaches 64.02 ft in Vaigai Dam
Vellore
Otteri lake brims after 19 years
Villupuram
Over 90% of water bodies filled. Flood alerts issued in areas adjoining lakes
Nagapattinam
Fishermen in coastal hamlets of Vedaranyam keep away from sea due to choppy waters
Cuddalore
Rains continue; People in low-lying areas asked to move to safer places
Tiruchy
Max rainfall at Pullambadi 70.80 mm; Lalgudi receives minimum rainfall of 48.10 mm; Samayapuram 46 mm