The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Mandapam `records' 510 mm of rain in a single day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Mandapam `records' 510 mm of rain in a single day

By C. Jaishankar

RAMANATHAPURAM, APRIL 4. The Mandapam rain gauge station run by the revenue department has recorded 510 mm in a day. Though the rainfall figure is unbelievable, various records available with the Collector's office have recorded the same figure.

The rain, which started on Sunday morning, continued without any break till this morning. People could not come out of their houses, as heavy rain lashed the area.

According to the data available with the Collector's Office, the rain gauge station situated near the railway station recorded 510 mm during the last 24 hours that ended 8 a.m. today. Rameswaram recorded 111 mm of rainfall. Similarly, Ramanathapuram has received 120 mm rain.

The Collector, K. Sellamuthu, told The Hindu that though there was no report of human loss because of the heavy rain, officials were on alert. "The rain gauge station at Mandapam has not recorded any rain until 8 a.m. on Sunday. However, the rainfall measurement class has recorded 510 mm during the last 24 hours," he said.

Mr. Sellamuthu said the 510 mm of rain could have been recorded in on particular place. However, he would investigate the `recorded' rainfall following the doubts raised from some quarters. The rain gauge station owned by the Indian Meteorological Department at Pampan, four km from Mandapam has recorded only 63.1 mm rainfall during the same period.

The previous record of heavy rainfall in a particular station in the district was 238 mm in Rameswaram on December 13, 2004.

"The average rainfall of Mandapam is only around 800 mm a year. But 510 mm in a day is something unimaginable. This record will last long," sources said.

The unprecedented rainfall `reported' at Mandapam has affected normal life. The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Straits were rough throughout the day. The majority of fishermen preferred not to venture into the sea because of the rough sea and bad weather.

Most of the villages in and around Mandapam, including Panaikulam, Alagankulam, Attrankarai, Therbogi, Puduvalasai, Athiyuthu were inundated with many houses submerged. Four houses were damaged in Therbogi village.

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