CHENNAI: Four tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu have received good rainfall ever since the onset of the monsoon in June. If the rains continue for another 10-20 days, it would be good news for farmers who are suffering from drought. According to Tamil Nadu forest department sources, the Anamalai Tiger Reserve comprising Chinnakallar and Valparai rainforests have been receiving copious rains. On a daily basis, rainfall ranging from one cm to 6 cm has been recorded in both the taluks since last week and the rivers are now flowing and bringing inflow into Amaravathi, Aliyar, Sholayar and Mannambally dams.
The adjacent Par-ambikulam dam has also started receiving inflows, sources said adding that the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve which was experiencing dry weather till June mid has been receiving good rains in the past one week. Forests in and around Coutrallam also received intermittent rains, sources said. However, foresters are worried a bit as the rain has reduced in Nilgiris and Sathyamangalam reserve areas.
According to regional meteorological department, rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at isolated places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the next four days. For the month of June, Sivgangaga, Theni and Coimbatore received excess rainfall. Nilgiris, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which received rainfall during the first week of June, ended with deficit rainfall for the month. The northern districts of Thiruvallur, Chennai, Vellore and Thiruvannamalai received close to normal rainfall for June. For Saturday, the weather office forecast was heavy rain, likely to occur at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka, North Kerala and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
