Madurai, Tamil Nadu:
Schools and most colleges in Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts in Tamil Nadu will remain closed today - a precaution against heavy rain expected in the area today.
Heavy rains lashed several parts of Ramanathapuram district causing extensive damage to crops and inundating several housing colonies. Low lying Colonies in Ramanathapuram were also flooded, officials said.
Eighty eight people have died in rain related incidents across Tamil Nadu and government has announced Rs 2 Lakh compensation for families of each victim. Relief package to farmers will be sent after Collectors estimate crop damage.
The sea under the Pamban bridge in Ramanathapuram was almost touching the bridge splashing water on the railway track.
Manadapam recorded the maximum rainfall of 207 mm, followed by Pampan 157.6 mm, Thangachimadam 142 mm, Rameswaram 108 mm, Kamuthi 42 mm, Ramanathapuram 85.6 mm and Tiruvadanai 69 mm, official said.
A low-pressure trough in the Bay of Bengal between Sri Lanka and coastal Tamil Nadu is expected to drive big showers to the region near Madurai.
Many reservoirs including the Vaigai dam are nearly full.
The water level in the Mettur Dam today stood at 114.64 feet against its full level of 120 feet. Inflow into the dam was 16,782 cusecs and outflow nil, PWD sources said here today.
Storage was 85.164 tmc against the capacity of 93.4 ft, the sources said. (With PTI inputs)