Rain hits normal life in twin districts, but festival spirit stays alive in Tiruvannamalai

Though low-lying areas in Vellore town did not suffer much on Thursday morning, some parts of Burma Colony and Katpadi were inundated as there no sign of rain pausing in Vellore district. The district administration swung in to action and drained out the water after the rain stopped in the evening.

In Tiruvannamalai the rain did not dampen the spirit of Karthigai deepam. The city was crowded as the key event of the annual festival is scheduled on Friday. Devotees were seen in large numbers in an around the temple, while the police were busy regulating the crowd and vehicles in the town.

As the rain subsided by evening, devotees, who had plans to undertake girivalam walk, heaved a sigh of relief.

Tiruvannamalai district recorded a rainfall of 273 mm with 22.75 mm average rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8 am on Wednesday. Following is the amount of rainfall (in mm) recorded in various places: Tiruvannamalai and Vellore: Arni - 23.7, Sathnur dam - 12.8, Vandavasi - 49.2, Polur - 8.60, Tiruvannamalai - 16.2, Kalasapakkam - 12, Thandarampattu - 9.80, Chetpet - 42.5, Kilpoennathur - 50.80 and Vembakkam 23.40. Vellore - 36.4, Ambur - 22.4, Vaniyambadi - 19.2, Alangayam - 12.4, Arakkonam - 32, Kaveripakkam - 25.1, Wallajahpet - 17.2, Sholingur - 20.5, Arcot - 27.8, Gudiyattam - 13.2, Katpadi - 50.4 and Melalathur - 16.6.