The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Heavy rain in several parts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 25, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Heavy rain in several parts

Special Correspondent

Boat services to Tiruvalluvar statue suspended; more showers predicted

UMBRELLAS OUT: Residents stepping out despite rain in Udhagamandalam on Sunday.

CHENNAI: : Some parts of the State received heavy rain on Saturday and in the early hours of Sunday.

During the 24 hours that ended at 8. 30 a.m. on Sunday, Valparai in Coimbatore district recorded 10 cm, while Gudalur Bazaar and Naduvattam in the Nilgiris registered 9 cm each. Chennai, Zamin Korattur and Poonnamalle received 6 cm each.

According to the meteorological office, rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at a few places over Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

The rain in the city and nearby areas was attributed to a well-marked low pressure over the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the Orissa-West Bengal Coast. In Coimbatore and Kanniyakumari districts, "normal monsoon activity" caused the rain.

Cholavaram and Chembarmpakkam, Chennai's catchment, registered three cm each, and Tamaraipakkam two cm.

Heavy rains lashed various parts of Kanyakumari district for the second day on Sunday.

Rough sea

As the sea was rough, fishermen in the Kanyakumari and Kovalam areas shifted their vallams and catamarans to safer places.

The Poombuhar Shipping Corporation suspended boat services to the Thiruvalluvar statue for more than two hours on Sunday morning.

The level in the Pechipparai dam stood at 25.50 feet as against the total capacity of 48 feet, 44.50 feet in the Perunchani dam against 77 feet, 3.84 feet in the Chittar I against 18 feet and 3.94 feet in the Chittar II against 18 feet.

The maximum rainfall of 59 mm was recorded at Pechipparai followed by 30 mm in the Chittar I, 28.5 mm in Surulode, 26.8 mm in Kannimar, 24.4 mm in Perunchani, 20 mm in the Chittar II, 12.2 mm in Boothapandi, 7.3 mm in Nagercoil, 4.2 mm in Myladi and 3.2 mm in Kottaram.

Many parts of the Nilgiris received heavy rains on Saturday and Sunday. Upper Bhavani recorded 156 mm, Devala 127, Avalanchi 115, Gudalur 86, Glenmorgan 52, Naduvattam 70 ,Emerald 60, Ketti 26 and Udhagamandalam 16.

At Udhagamandalam and surroundings, the continuous rains, accompanied by chilly winds, hit the normal life. The rain flooded the low-level areas and some of the main roads.

Nilgiris District Small Tea Growers Association president M. Bhojarajan said that since it was the planting season in tea gardens, the rain would help the young plants develop strong roots.

Though the arrival of tourists increased marginally, the wet conditions prevented many from venturing out. The demand for umbrellas sold by pavement vendors shot up.

Training for SHGs

At a disaster risk management meeting held at Udhagamandalam on Sunday, volunteers and self-help groups were trained in responding to emergencies and natural calamities.

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