The Hindu : Front Page : Fresh spell rakes up fear of further damage

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 05, 2005

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Front Page

Fresh spell rakes up fear of further damage

M. Balaganessin

IN TATTERS: A battered Tiruchi-Dindigul highway. — PHOTO: R.M. RAJARATHINAM

TIRUCHI: Even as situation here is gradually limping back to normality after the onslaught of flood, heavy rain in the past couple of days has raked up fear among residents of further havoc.

After a letup during the course of the day on Sunday, another fresh spell began late in the evening, affecting normal life. The sky was overcast throughout the day causing a dip in temperature. Though city buses continued to ply as usual, motorists and pedestrians in low-lying areas had a harrowing time negotiating roads, which were already battered by last week's flood. The rain rendered efforts undertaken by the authorities to level potholes with mud on arterial roads futile.

Sustained rain on Saturday night caused water logging on the track between Killukudi and Kallagam railway stations, resulting in detention of Chennai-bound Pallavan Express at Lalgudi station for about half an hour. The train was halted after six inches of water was found to have stagnated on the track, and was piloted later after the level had receded to one inch above the track.

Lalgudi and its surrounding areas, which were affected the most in the flash flood, received heavy rainfall in the current spell. The district registered an overall rainfall of 970.5 mm, with the average put at 46.21 mm.

Nanthiyaru recorded the highest rainfall of 244 mm during the last 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Sunday. It was followed by Pullambadi (in mm) 177.8 and Lalgudi 102. Rainfall in other places: Samayapuram 64, Vathalai 56, Kallakudi 49, Airport 39.9, Golden Rock and Navalur Kuttapattu 34 each, Devimangalam 33, Tiruchi Town 31.2, Koppampatti 30, Tiruchi Junction 24.6, Thathaiangarpettai 22 and Musiri 21.

Fire brigade on alert

Fire and Rescue Services Department personnel are in a state of readiness to rescue stranded residents. Two boats have been stationed at Lalgudi as a precautionary measure.

Zonal officers in the rank of Deputy Collectors have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and undertake relief operation.

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