Torrential rain batters Rameswaram town

Several parts of the temple island of Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district, including the National Highway, were inundated. Rameswaram recorded 75 mm rain in 24 hours and ended at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, while Thangachimadam recorded 52 mm. Rameswaram Municipality Chairman Arjunan said efforts were being taken to drain the water into the sea as most parts were inundated and earth movers have been engaged. Officials said fishermen from Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin did not venture into the sea for the fourth day. 

Several parts of Tuticorin district, especially coastal areas received heavy rains, and some housing colonies and roads were inundated but there was no flood threat, officials said. Officials said as a depression in the Bay of Bengal is slowly moving towards southern districts, precautionary steps have been taken with the rains expected to be heavy in the next 48 hours. “As of now there is no flood threat in Tuticorin,” District collector Ravikumar said.

“We are prepared for any situation, as rains have been predicted for Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. We will be watchful and all the alternative sites for accommodating people in case of flood were ready,” another official said. According to the officials, a National Disaster Relief Force team is camping in Tuticorin district. There was no threat to highways in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, officials said, adding that water flow in the Thamirabharani river was normal. 

Continuous rain for the last three days resulted in rain water entering the famed Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram town on Tuesday. Water entered the first and second pragarams resulting in the temple priests performing poojas standing in ankle-deep water. 

Meanwhile water stagnating in the streets and causing hardship for vehicles and pedestrians was diverted to the Lakshmana Theertham more than a kilometre from the temple. What aggrieved devotees was that stagnant water diverted to the theertham was mixed with sewage. As this was where devotees performed the annual religious rites for their dead, the venue and tank which were considered holy was now contaminated