Rains lash parts of Madurai, Theni

MADURAI: Rains lashed parts of Madurai and other districts in the southern region on Friday evening, providing much needed respite from the heat.

It rained steadily for over three hours and drizzling continued for a long time. Water gushing through the Vaigai river was a visual treat for many to enjoy in Madurai.

Sources, meanwhile, said the sudden downpour caused damage partially to around 21 houses in parts of Melur, Vadipatti and taluks of Madurai North and Madurai East.

Thirumohoor temple near Melur in Madurai was inundated after showers as rainwater that filled the ‘kovil kulam’ nearby overflowed and entered the temple. Moreover, low lying areas of TM Nagar near Mattuthavani were inundated and temporary arrangements were made to restore normalcy.

Idayapatti village near Thirumangalam received the maximum amount of rainfall recording 87 mm and it’s followed by Madurai North — 80.80 mm, Thaniyamangalam — 80 mm, Tallakulam — 73 mm, Viraganur — 70.40 mm and Melur — 60 mm.

Torrential rains along Western Ghats surrounding Theni increased water level in various dams. The level in Manjalar dam with its storage capacity of 57 feet, touched 55 ft and surplus water of 245 cusecs was released by Theni Collector KV Muralidharan from the dam on Saturday for irrigation benefitting farmers relying on 5,259 acres in Theni and its neighboring Dindigul district. The dam had an inflow of 644 cusecs of water, sources said.