Heavy rainfall in Ramnad district

Madurai

As the India Meteorological Department(IMD) predicted heavy rainfall in the coastal district, storm warningsignal number-7 has been hoisted since late Wednesday. The storm causedheavy rainfall but not much damage, sources said.

Ramanathapuram Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver on Thursday inspected the rain-hit areas and said the wind speed was about 50 to 60 kmph in morning. It came down to normal and wind velocity reduced to 30 to 40 kmph. Winds, however, uprooted five trees and left an electricity pole tilted.

Tidal surge was at one meter and a low lying area on Mariamman Kovil Street was inundated. Water entered some houses near the shoreline. Almost all inhabitants from a low-lying area at Arichal Munai, near Dhanushkodi, and some heads of cattle were evacuated to a relief centre.

Tangedco cut power supply to prevent any eventuality. The Collector said the district administration had in place an emergency preparedness plan. A total of 209 relief shelters were housing 5,200 people evacuated from low lying areas, coastal regions and week buildings. An Indian Coast Guard hovercraft rescued three fishermen stranded at sea two days ago. The Collector said all 180 coastal habitations were treated as vulnerable locations and 39 more vulnerable areas had also been identified in other parts of the district.

He said 98 power saws, 324 earthmovers, 24 dewatering motor pumps, 16,800 sandbags, 3,563 electrical poles and 1,020 wooden logs have been kept ready as part of contingency measures. Apart from these, 16 zonal teams are monitoring the situation, he said.

Rameswaram recorded 120.20 mm rain, the maximum amount among other stations in the district. Mudukulathur recorded 105 mm, Thangachimadam: 85.40 mm, Pamban: 62.30 mm, Mandapam: 58 mm, Thondi: 41.50 mm and Ramanathapuram: 33.50 mm, sources said.