Heavy rain lashes Valparai region

COIMBATORE: The Valparai region in Coimbatore district received heavy showers with Sholayar and Chinnakalar recording 175mm and 119mm of rain respectively in the 24 hours ending at 7am on Thursday.

District collector declared a holiday for schools in Valparai on Thursday due to heavy rain.According to data from the district administration, an average rainfall of 39.5 mm was recorded across the district until Thursday morning.The regional meteorological centre in Chennai has forecast that rain is likely to continue over isolated places in the Nilgiris district and the ghat areas of Coimbatore districts on the Friday and Saturday.Water flow into Siruvani and Pillur reservoirs increased due to heavy rain in their catchment areas. The water level in Siruvani dam stood at 42.64 feet against its full capacity of 49.53 feet. The water level is restricted to 44.61 feet as per the dam safety officer's instructions. The Pillur dam reached its full capacity for the third time this year, and 1,1160 cusecs of water was being discharged from the reservoir.

The Kovai Kutralam saw a sharp increase in water flow. Forest department officials said the temporary ban on visitors would remain in place until the heavy water flow in the falls subsides.The National Disaster Response Force team evacuated three families from near the Sedal dam on Wednesday night. An officer said, "A slight rubble slide on the roads was reported based on which immediate evacuation was initiated. However, no major damage was reported."