Michaung-like rains batter southern dists

MADURAI/CHENNAI: Heavy rains under the influence of a cyclonic circulation lashed southern Tamil Nadu on Sunday, inundating several areas in districts of Kanniyakumari and its neighbouring Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi districts.

Since the Tamirabarani River is in spate, Chief Minister MK Stalin directed authorities to release surplus water into the Kannadian channel, marking a dry run under a river-linking project in southern Tamil Nadu.

CM Stalin also deputed Ministers and eight senior IAS officials to rain-hit districts to oversee and carry out relief work.

A Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) bulletin said a cyclonic circulation is now over the Comorin area and its neighbourhood, extending up to mid-tropospheric levels.

Among eighteen rain gauge stations in Nellai district, Moolaikaraipatti and Palayamkottai experienced a maximum of 26 cm rainfall until 4.30 p.m. while Ambasamudram, Cheranmahadevi, Nanguneri, Papanasam, Radhapuram, Kodumudiyaru Dam and Nambiyar Dam recorded over 20 cm, sources said.

Some regions recorded very heavy rainfall. Surplus water is being released from the Pechiparai, Perunjani, and Papanasam dams and alert messages (SMS) have been sent to over two lakh residents.

Water entered houses in low-lying areas and vehicles were stranded because of flooding.

Water logging was reported on the premises of a couple of State-run hospitals.

Authorities ordered schools and colleges shut while National and State Disaster Response Force teams were deployed. Local authorities and police made arrangements for evacuating people from flooded and vulnerable areas to relief centres.

Thoothukudi Collector has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Monday.

Meanwhile, State-run Aavin said sufficient stock of milk is available for uninterrupted supply and that the consumers need not panic.