Good start to monsoon, Thoothukudi receives 15.1 cm

The much awaited rain from the North East monsoon has brought cheer and the atmosphere turned cold across the state. Many low lying areas were inundated following the downpour. Normalcy in many districts were hit, while the fishermen remained on shore due to warning from the department.

Districts like Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur and Perambalur received heavy showers, Tiruchy and Karur received moderate rain.

Sources said that Vedaranyam coast in Nagapattinam district witnessed high waves and water entered the hamlets forcing fishermen to shift their boats to safer places. Fishermen from over 20 villages in Nagapattinam district, including Arukattuthurai, Puzhpavanam, Vellapallam, Vanmahadevi and Kodiyakarai stayed off from venturing into sea.

In Thoothukudi, new Collector K Senthil Raj, Commissioner of Thoothukudi Corporation VP Jeyaseelan and officials from various departments inspected the rain-hit areas such as Thoothukudi old bus stand, Buckle Canal, Karutha Palam and Lourdammalpuram, sources said.

The new Collector said stagnant water in low lying areas are being drained out with the aid of 18 diesel motors and silt from the canal is being removed. Moreover, fourteen zonal teams have been put in place to monitor and render assistance, if required, the Collector added.

Similar conditions prevailed in Pudukkottai and Thanjavur districts. Tiruvarur district witnessed heavy rain from Sunday evening and that continued even on Monday affecting normal life of the people.

In Tiruvarur, farmers who raised saplings said that moderate rains would support their activities. But, if it pours heavily for a few more days as predicted by the meteorological department, they fear that the fields would be submerged.