Delta districts record moderate to heavy overnight rainfall

Several parts of Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Tiruvarur district received moderate to heavy overnight rainfall as the northeast monsoon intensified.Needamangalam in Tiruvarur district recorded the maximum rainfall of 80 mm in the delta region during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. Tiruvarur Town (56.4), Thiruthuraipoondi (46.8), Kodavasal (46.2), and Muthupettai (34.2) received moderate rainfall.Kollidam in Mayiladuthurai district recorded 64 mm while Sembanarkovil received 56.40 mm of rainfall. Mayiladuthurai town, Sirkazhi, and Tharangambadi too received good rainfall.In Nagapattinam district, Vedaraynam recorded the maximum of 59.60 mm followed by Thirupoondi 44.80 mm and Talaignayar 42.20 mm. Nagapattinam town, Velankanni and Kodiyakkarai too recorded moderate showers.Parts of Thanjavur district, including Orathanadu, Thiruvaiyaru and Peravurani recorded moderate rainfall during the same period. Ariyalur and Pudukottai district received light showers.The rains were largely expected to be beneficial for the samba/thaladi paddy crops, especially the directly sown samba crop.Nagapattinam Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar inspected the villages in Thirukuvalai taluk on Thursday and reviewed the monsoon preparedness.Nagapattinam district administration has intensified preparations in view of the rain alert, which will remain in force until October 25.On Wednesday, Collector K. J. Praveen Kumar inspected desilting work and reviewed steps to be taken ahead of the northeast monsoon.Thirty-nine weather monitoring stations have been established across the district to collect rainfall data and strengthen early warning efforts. A 24-hour emergency control room is functioning at the Collectorate to coordinate response.Residents can report rain-related damage and seek emergency assistance through the helpline numbers 04365 1077 and 04365 251992. A total of 27 complaints were received over the past week, and action had been initiated on them, Mr. Kumar said.No deaths had been reported in the district so far although two people had sustained minor injuries. The injured, residents of the old tsunami housing settlement at Puthiya Nambiyar Nagar, were admitted to Orathur Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Steps were being taken to provide them with relief assistance, he said.The authorities have been instructed to identify dilapidated buildings in both rural and urban areas and relocate residents to safe places. The structural safety of public buildings, including overhead water tanks and anganwadi centres, is being reviewed.Relief centres have been readied to accommodate more than 8,000 people in case of an emergency.Eight livestock deaths and damage to eight thatched houses have been reported over the past week. Efforts are on to provide relief to the affected people, Mr. Kumar added. Published - October 22, 2026 04:42 pm IST