Over the past three days, five people have lost their lives in delta districts of the State in accidents related to heavy downpour. According to TOI reports, Duraikannu, a 70-year-old man from Thanjavur, Kandasamy, a 50-year-old farmer from Pudukottai, Poongothai a 40-year-old differently-abled person from Ariyalur, 50-year-old Ravichandran from Mannargudi, 81-year-old Kandasamy near Nanguneri in Thirunelveli are among the deceased. In Chennai, a man reportedly died in Ambattur after he accidentally fell into a storm water drain.
On Sunday evening, it was announced that schools and colleges in Tiruvallur, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts. In Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Chennai districts schools alone have been declared an off on Monday
Heavy rains in Thoothukudi district has brought regular life to a grinding halt as roads and even railways tracks are submerged in water. In addition to this, the Central Water Commission has warned that water in the Thamirabarani river may flow close to warning level if the downpour continues through the night.
The district has been facing rains for three days, with showers intensifying on Saturday evening. Areas including Lourthammalpuram,VMS Nagar, St Mary’s colony, Indira Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar and Kurinji nagar faced water inundation with residents even protesting in some parts.
Speaking to TNM, District Collector Sandeep Nandhuri says, “The corporation has employed a lot of motors to get rid of stagnant water. High capacity pumps from private companies are being used. Temporary drains have also been set up in the town. We will remove the water that is stagnating.”
As far as the Thamirabarani is concerned, the District official explains that the river can carry 60,000 to 1 lakh cusecs of water.
In Thoothukudi, the entry point for the river is Maradur anaicut and Srivaikundam anicut after it. As of this evening it holds 35-40,000 cusecs of water.
“As of now Thamirabarani is safe. But if it rains heavily in the night, the river may suddenly swell up and if it touches 60-70,000 cusecs there is a likelihood that it will reach its full capacity. Then people in low lying areas have to be careful and move to relief centres,” says the Collector.
Thoothukudi has received 19 centimetres of rainfall in Sathankulam and 16 centimeters in the city. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges on Monday due to water inundation.
Source: The News Minute