Intermittent drizzle affected normal life in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts on Saturday.
In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi experienced only intermittent drizzle and holiday was declared for most of the schools in the district on Saturday.
Influx of water into Papanasam dam nosedived to just 985 cusecs from Tuesday’s 9,200 cusecs as rainfall in the catchment areas of this reservoir fell sharply. Consequently, the anticipation of Papanasam dam discharging surplus water too got belied.
As over 2,000 cusecs of water is being discharged from Papanasam dam even as water level in this reservoir stood at 134.75 feet against the maximum storage level of 143 feet, the Agasthiyar Falls experienced flood on Saturday forcing the forest department to ban bathing in this waterfalls near Papanasam. However, devotees visiting Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple were allowed as usual.
Similarly, bathing was banned at Manimuthar Falls also due to heavy flow of water and the visitors could have a look at the waterfalls from a safe distance.
After being intermittent, the drizzle vanished after 4 p.m.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Nambiyar Dam – 18, Moolaikkaraipatti – 16, Radhapuram – 14, Palayamkottai – 13, Nanguneri – 10, Tirunelveli – 9, Kodumudiyar Dam – 7, Naalumukku and Ooththu – 6 Kaakkaachi – 5, Maanjolai, Cheranmahadevi and Kalakkad – 4, Ambasamudram and Kannadiyan Channel – 2 and Papanasam and Servalar dams – 1.
In Tenkasi district, only a few places experienced mild intermittent drizzle on Saturday even as the sky remained overcast throughout the day.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Tenkasi – 6, Sivagiri – 4, Sankarankovil – 3, Karuppanadhi dam – 2 and Adavinainarkovil dam – 1.