Rain: Holiday declared for schools in Theni, hill stations

MADURAI: Theni district administration has declared a holiday for all schools in the district on Friday in view of the widespread rain. Dindigul district administration also announced a holiday for educational institutions in its hill stations such as Sirumalai and Kodaikanal on Friday.
Southern Tamil Nadu has been witnessing sporadic rainfall for the last few days. Vaigai dam has been opened as the water level touched 70.01 feet against its total capacity of 71 feet. The water resource department has issued all three flood warnings to people residing on the banks of the Vaigai in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.
Water level at Periyar dam was 135.15 feet on Thursday morning. Periyar dam and Thekkady received 39.2 mm and 39.6 mm rainfall by Thursday morning. Kodaikanal received 22.6 mm rainfall, while Vaigai dam received 2.2 mm rainfall. Madurai city has been witnessing widespread drizzles. Almost all the reservoirs in Theni and Dindigul districts are filled to the brim.
Dindigul collector S Visakan warned people residing along the banks of Palar, Porunthalaru, Shanmuganadhi and Vaigai not to step into the rivers. Bathing in Courtallam waterfalls in Tenkasi district has been banned for the fourth day in a row. Tenkasi and surrounding areas were witnessing drizzles since morning but the catchment areas of the falls in the Western Ghats have been receiving heavy rainfall.
The fisheries department has issued a squally weather warning to fishermen. The wind speed is expected to rise 50 to 60 km/hour and the waves may get up to 3.5m high. A squally weather warning has been issued in Cape Comorin, Gulf of Mannar, Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep seas. The fishermen from Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari are warned against venturing into the sea.