Date:20/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122057780600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Boat capsizes, Agnitheertham temple pathway sinks

Staff Reporter

RAMANATHAPURAM: A mechanised boat capsized and four boats were damaged on Tuesday at Rameswaram due to rough sea and heavy rain.

The boat was owned by one Royappan. It was toppled when furious waves hit the seashore at Rameswaram. Other boats were damaged due to frequent friction of boats anchored at the harbour.

The pathway constructed at Agnitheertham near Sri Ramanathasamy Temple collapsed into the sea. Most of the houses in two villages such as Erumaitharavai and Mullaikadu coming under Mandapam town panchayat were submerged.

An electric post fell on a house at Therkuvadi near Pamban. For the sixth consecutive day, all mechansied and country boat fishermen stayed off the sea.

Collector R. Kirlosh Kumar said nearly 250 people were affected because of the heavy rain. All of them were evacuated and given shelter and food packets.

Though there were reports of minor breaches at some ooranies, all were set right. Erosion of roads was reported in some places.

Instructions were given to the officials concerned to attend to the problems immediately.

He said there was no report of paddy field inundation. It would marginally help the standing crops which were in good condition. The present rain would mitigate drinking water problems in some areas.

Mr. Kumar said officials were asked to closely monitor rain-related developments.

The following were the rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours that ended at 8.30 am on Wednesday.

(rainfall in mm). Ramanathapuram-126.7, Rameswaram-110.2, Thankatchimadam-38, Pamban-41.7, Mandapam-65, Pallamorkulam-75, Thiruvadanai-66, Thondi-89.3, Theerthandathanam-80, Vattanam-185, R.S. Mangalam-170, Mudukulathur-36, Kamudhi-30, Valinokkam-11.8 and Paramakudi-22.