Ahead of the low pressure persisting in the Bay of Bengal which is likely to bring in good rainfall over the next 48 hours in the southern districts, the District Collectors of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari and Thoothukudi chaired review meetings and visited several vulnerable areas on Tuesday to assess the efforts taken to avert flooding in low-lying areas, especially along the Tamirabharani and Chittar watercourse and the seashore.
After remaining overcast throughout the day on Monday, it began to rain heavily around 6 p.m. in Tirunelveli district. But the downpour lasted for only 15 minutes, and the intermittent drizzle continued for another 15 minutes. The respite then came to allow the revellers to burst firecrackers even beyond 10 p.m. The mild drizzle returned around 5 a.m., even as the sky remained overcast throughout the day on Tuesday.
District Collector R. Sukumar, who visited good number of places along the Tamirabharani and Chittar watercourse on Tuesday, inspected the channels carrying rainwater and asked the officials of the local bodies concerned to remove the blocks, if any. Even though it was a holiday, the Collector had summoned the officials to be present in these areas even as he reviewed the preparations made on the field.
Rain water logging at Kokour in Thoothukudi on Tuesday for continuous rain lashes.
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N. RAJESH
Dr. Sukumar also visited the spots where the temporary relief camps are to be created for keeping the relocated people from marooned areas. As the paddy raised on over 500 acres in Mannarkovil, Vagaikulam, Brammadesam, and Kakkanallur areas had been badly hit, the Collector visited these fields also and assured the affected farmers that due survey would be done for giving compensation and getting crop insurance benefits.
In Tirunelveli Corporation also, the officials of the urban civic body accelerated the desilting of the drainage and the storm water channels
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Radhapuram – 36, Naalumukku – 30, Ooththu – 26, Kakkachi– 24, Manjolai – 20, Nanguneri – 17, Cheranmahadevi – 16, Kalakkad – 13, Kodumudiyar dam – 9, Palayamkottai – 6, Namiyar dam – 5, Papanasam dam, Servalar dam, Ambasamudram and Manimuthar dam – 2 and Tirunelveli, Moolaikaraipatti and Kannadiyan Channel – 1.
Minister for Revenue K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, who came to Tenkasi district on Tuesday to review the preparations being made for the Chief Minister’s function to be held on October 24, participated in the meeting along with District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore to assess the preparations.
He also visited the Main Falls at Courtallam where bathing has been banned along with Five Falls and Old Courtallam Falls due to floods. Since the swelling Chittar is gradually filling-up the systemised irrigation tanks between Courtallam and Alangulam, the minister and the Collector also inspected a few channels.
Even as the minister’s inspection was going on, it was informed that the Chief Minister’s proposed visit to Tenkasi district has been postponed in view of the heavy rains alert.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Gundar dam – 28, Shencottai – 22, Ramanadhi Dam – 19, Gadananadhi dam – 13, Sivagiri – 8, Tenkasi – 6, Karuppanadhi dam – 5, Aayikudi – 4 and Sankarankovil and Adavinainarkovil dam – 2.
Even as ‘orange alert’ has been issued for October 22, Kanniyakumari district experienced intermittent drizzle on Tuesday. Following low pressure warning, the 350-odd mechanised boats operating from Chinna Muttom Fishing Harbour near Kanniyakumari did not venture into the sea for fishing on Tuesday.
The mechanised fishing boats anchored at Thoothukudi fishing harbour on Tuesday due to continuous rainfall.
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N. RAJESH
Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena, who went to Vallavilai, a coastal hamlet close to the Kerala border, contacted through satellite phone the mechanised boats went for multi-day deep sea fishing to ask them to return to the shores in the wake of the adverse weather forecast.
As the Thirparappu Falls, which attracted significant crowd after Deepavali celebrations on Tuesday, experienced flood, the tourists were not allowed to take bath considering their safety.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Chittar I – 55, Thirparappu – 48, Perunchani Dam – 47, Chittar II – 46, Puthen Dam – 42, Petchiparai Dam – 41, Kaliyal – 40, Surulacode – 34, Kottaram and Mambazhathuraiyar Dam – 26, Aanaikidangu – 25, Nagercoil – 13, Balamore – 12, Thuckalay – 11, Kuzhithurai – 10, Kozhiporevilai – 8, Mullankinavilai – 6, Mukkadal Dam – 5, Aralvaimozhi – 4 and Mayiladi – 2.
Social Welfare Minister P. Geetha Jee,van along with officials participating in the preparation of monsoon review meeting in Thoothukudi Collectorate on Tuesday.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Minister for Social Welfare P. Geetha Jeevan and Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath participated in a meeting held at the Collectorate on Tuesday to assess the preparations being made ahead of the likely heavy downpour due to the low pressure. The meeting discussed in detail about the arrangements made so far for creating relief centres with due facilities, evacuating the people from vulnerable areas and ensuring early medical assistance to the affected population.
The minister also visited a few areas in Thoothukudi Town and the vulnerable areas identified by the officials to review the preparations put in place there.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Soorangudi – 15, Kazhugumalai, Kadambur and Kayathar – 9, Ettaiyapuram – 8, Vaippar – 7, Vilaathikulam – 6, Ottapidaaram – 5, Thoothukudi and Kovilpatti – 3 and Kaadalgudi, Keezha Arasadi, Tiruchendur and Sattankulam – 2 and Maniyaachi – 1.
Published – October 21, 2025 07:10 pm IST
