Overnight incessant rain forces Virudhunagar administration to declare holiday for schools on Monday

An incessant rain throughout Sunday that brought an average rainfall of 55.61 mm to Virudhunagar district forced the district administration to declare holiday for schools on Monday.

However, the rain abruptly stopped across the district on Monday morning.

All the rain gauge stations reported good rainfall with Sasthakoil dam registering the highest precipitation of 120 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Monday. Sivakasi reported 99 mm.

From slight drizzle to heavy rain continuing to lash the district since Sunday morning till Monday morning, motorists were put to a lot of inconvenience.

However, the rain did not cause any damage, according to the officials.

As a precautionary measure, forest officials prohibited devotees from climbing up the Sathuragiri hills on Monday as the IMD has issued yellow alert for Virudhunagar district.

An official said the wild streams in hilly terrain were gushing with water which would pose danger to the devotees.

With the Western Ghats receiving good rainfall ranging 54 mm as recorded in Rajapalayam, 58.40 in Sriviiliputtur, 55.40 in Watrap and 46.20 mm in Periyar Pilavakkal dam, all the wild streams including those at Ayyanar Falls, Shenbagathoppu had heavy flow of water.

According to Water Resources Department, Periyar Pilavakkal dam had got 309.91 cusecs of inflow. As the dam had got 104.100 mcft of storage as against 192 mcft, the officials released 153 cusecs of water.

Kullursandhai received 209.56 cusecs and Sasthakoil 119.90 cusecs.

Rainfall reported in other places (in mm) is: Kovilankulam and Kariyapatti 59.80, Vembakottai 58.50, Aruppukottai 57, Virudhunagar 44, Sattur 39.20 and Tiruchuli 36.