Rain showers joy for farmers in delta dists

The rain, which continued throughout the night, lasted till the early hours of Friday. Several places in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts witnessed continuous showers.

During the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Friday, the maximum rainfall was recorded at Vedaranyam (15 cm), Nagapattinam (14 cm) and Thiruthuraipoondi (13 cm). Other places like Mayiladuthurai (9 cm), Tiruvarur (8 cm), Karaikal, Nannilam, Rameswaram and Parangipettai (7 cm each) also got heavy rain.

As a result, district administrations of Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur declared a holiday for educational institutions, while a leave was declared only for schools in Thanjavur. Low-lying areas of Tiruvarur like Vanakkara Street witnessed water logging.

Meanwhile, Food Minister R Kamaraj inspected the Adapparu river at Chidambara Kottam in Thiruthuraipoondi taluk. The river was carrying the flood water caused by the heavy rains.

Speaking to mediapersons, the minister said as many as 212 low-lying areas have been identified and 249 relief camps kept ready to handle any emergency.

The farmers in these districts said the heavy rain would help them to remove weeds in their fields, while the fishermen chose to abide by the advisory issued by the Fisheries department and did not venture to the sea.

While there was moderate rain in Tiruchy, rural pockets like Musiri, T-Pettai and Thottiyam saw continuous showers till 9 am.