Heavy rains lash Dindigul, Theni

Heavy rains continued to lash Dindigul district, particularly Kodaikanal and Theni district on Tuesday night and Wednesday leaving the roads inundated and unmotorable.

It began with a light drizzle at about 6.30 p.m. and was followed by a heavy downpour. The heavy downpour continued for over an hour. In Dindigul, places like Nehruji Nagar Junction, R.M. Colony, Madurai Road, Palani Road, Kacheri Street and other nearby areas received good rainfall and were inundated.

Water entered households and residents faced a tough time pumping out the water. Traffic came to a standstill in many parts of Dindigul and in the district. The newly constructed railway underpass on Karur road was flooded. Work was on to pump out the stagnant water and clear it for vehicular movement as expeditiously as possible.

The heavy rains had uprooted trees in some parts of the district and branches had fallen on the road. The trees and fallen branches were cleared for vehicular movement. The rains had left the farmers cheerful. They said due to the heavy rains the temperature had dropped. They said they anticipated more rains and were ready to sow crops.

As heavy rains continued to lash Kodaikanal, Dindigul Collector S. Saravanan on Wednesday declared a school holiday for students from Class I to Class V.

According to the Dindigul district rainfall report, Dindigul district received good rainfall on Tuesday evening. Dindigul recorded a rainfall of 80 mm, Oddanchatram 57.80 mm, Vedasandur 63 mm, Palani 30 mm, Kodaikanal (Rose Garden) 49 mm and Kodaikanal (Bryant Park) 62.40 mm. Dindigul district recorded an average rainfall of 42.79 mm.

Due to widespread rain in the Western Ghats, the Kumbhakarai waterfalls near Periyakulam in Theni district was closed for tourists. The officials said the waterfall will be closed till further orders due to heavy rains and floods. It will be opened for tourists only after the water flow stabilises, the officials said.