Parts of Tamil Nadu, including Tenkasi, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, and Namakkal districts, experienced heavy showers on Saturday, while Kanyakumari district saw incessant rainfall, leading to heightened alertness among local authorities.
The Public Works Department (PWD) officials are closely monitoring the inflows into the Pechipparai and Perunchani reservoirs in Kanyakumari district. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel have been stationed in the region to address any emergencies arising from sudden inundation due to torrential rains, according to a district official.
In the southern coastal district of Kanyakumari, steady inflows of water following heavy rains have swelled the Thiruparappu waterfalls in Kulasekharam town. The district administration has urged the public to exercise caution while bathing under the falls to prevent accidents. In Tirunelveli, Collector K P Karthikeyan has warned residents to avoid venturing close to the Tamirabharani river and other water bodies, as the sudden downpour could trigger flash floods. The collector emphasised the importance of staying away from these areas to ensure public safety.
In a related development, the Indian Railways cancelled the Nilgiri Mountain Railway train service earlier in the day due to an earth slip between Kallar and Hillgrove railway stations. The cancellation underscores the potential disruptions caused by the heavy rains in the region.
Red and Orange alert issued for Kerala
Meanwhile, IMD has also issued a 'Red' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Kerala like Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam districts for tomorrow (May 17). Additionally, an orange alert has been issued for the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts.
On May 17, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Tamil Nadu is witnessing heavy rainfalls which led to the deployment of 90 personnel of SDRF in Tirunelveli district.
Earlier in the day, IMD stated that heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue to over south peninsular India with a trough running from Marathwada to cyclonic circulation over Tamil Nadu. Under the influence of cyclones, rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds continue. As per IMD, the rainfall may continue till May 23.
(With Inputs from agencies)
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