Heavy rain brings boating in Ooty to a halt, farmers rejoice

The rains also gave some relief to the forest department, which has been battling against frequent fire out breaks over the last couple of months. Sudden fires have burnt hundreds of acres of pristine forests into ashes and also led to death of unaccounted number of wild animals.

What started as a drizzle around 11.30am turned into a heavy downpour with thunder. The sky poured out till 2pm resulting in heavy flooding in arterial areas such as Charring Cross, Commercial Road, central bus stand, Good Shed Road, Finger Post and on the Ooty-Coonoor Road. In the market area, the storm water drain was blocked causing stagnation.

Tourists to Ooty Boat House were disappointed as boating was suspended for over two hours due to rains as a precautionary measure. Many of the tourists who thronged the hills however stayed indoors due to rains. Still, there were tourists going around Government Botanical Garden and Rose Park by holding umbrellas.

Farmers felt rejoiced on receiving the summer rains as they have taken a break from farming activities due to lack of rains. Vegetable crops and tea plantations have almost withered off following heavy frost in the winter season and due to the prolonged dry summer. They are now hopeful of raising crops.

In Coimbatore, it turned out to be a disappointment as the over cast skies opened up to pour just drizzles. According to skymet, a private weather forecaster, there may be scattered pre-monsoon rains and thundershower accompanied by strong winds over parts of Tamil Nadu in the coming three to four days.