People on banks of Tamirabarani advised to move to safer places

Madurai

“Though it was not a flood warning, people have been restricted from taking bath in Tamirabarani as a precautionary measure,” he said. Rainfall experienced in catchment areas during the Northeast monsoon season and downpour caused by cyclone impact gave rise to the water level in dams. The level in Papanasam dam with its maximum capacity of 143 feet, stood at 142.40 and inching towards reaching the maximum. Moreover, Papanasam received 12 mm rainfall until 8 am, on Saturday.

As for Manimuthar dam (118 ft), the water level stood at 108 feet and however there won’t be a problem in this dam even if it receives rainfall further since several cusecs of water are being released from Manimuthar dam for crop irrigation as per the directive of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy. While the level in Servalar dam (156 ft) stood at 146.65 ft, the level in rest of the dams in the district is almost 30 per cent. “The district is yet to achieve its annual average rainfall in the district and slightly lagging when compared to last year,” the Collector said.

According to sources from Department of Agriculture, 694.2 mm of rains have been received in the district until December 18 this year against its annual average of 814.8 mm. Except for ‘Main Falls’ where there’s a heavy flow of water and tourists have been restricted from taking bath at Courtallam, in the neighbouring Tenkasi district, visitors were enjoying the bath experience in four other waterfalls, sources said.