Moderate to heavy rainfall was experienced in the Western Ghats and catchment areas of Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari and Tenkasi districts from Friday night. Some parts of Thoothukudi districts also received heavy rainfall.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, heavy rainfall has been forecast on Sunday (May 10) in isolated places across southern districts, including Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi. On Monday (May 11) heavy rainfall has been forecast for Kanniaykaumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.

Among the four southern districts, Oothu in Tirunelveli district recorded the highest rainfall of 168 mm in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m on Saturday. It was followed by Nalumukku with 158 mm, Kakkachi with 142 mm and Manjolai with 110 mm.

The rainfall in the Western Ghats and the catchment areas is expected to increase the water level in Papanasam and Manimuthar dams, the primary water sources of Tirunelveli district.

In Kanniyakumari district, the sky remained overcast throughout Saturday, and several places in the district received light to moderate rainfall.

The rainfall recorded in the district was (in mm): Kannimar 47.6, Mambazhathuraiyaru 46.4, Surulacode 33.6, Boothapandy 28.4, Pechiparai 27.2, and Balamore 18.4.

The rainfall provided much-needed relief to the people as temperature dipped tangibly. The rainfall in the ghat area also increased the flow in Pazhayar river.

Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district recorded 70 mm and 69 mm rainfall, respectively. Srivaikuntam witnessed a rainfall of 63.60 mm during the same period.

In Tenkasi district, Ayikudi recorded the highest rainfall of 93 mm, followed by Karuppanadhi dam with 79 mm, Shencottah with 70 mm, and Gundar dam with 62 mm. The average rainfall of five taluks of the district stood at 42.72 mm.

The peak summer showers brought significant relief from the sweltering heat and humid weather that the region had been experiencing for quite sometime.