After a prolonged dry spell, the catchment areas of the dams experienced good rainfall on Saturday.With precipitation drenching the catchment areas that brought 5,000 cusecs of water, Papanasam Dam’s storage level rose from 63 feet on Friday to 68 feet on Saturday morning. Water level in the Servalar Dam with just 1,225 mcft capacity rose from 76.77 feet to 102.03 feet on Saturday – an increase of 26 feet in 24 hours.Forest Department, besides banning bathing in the Manimuthar Falls, has restrained the devotees from visiting Nambi Temple in the Western Ghats beyond Thirukkurungudi due to the rain continuing in the hills.“All the wild streams are dangerously flowing. Hence, the devotees can visit the temple only after the flood subsides,” a forest official said.Barring Radhapuram, all other areas away from the Western Ghats like Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai had to content with drizzle.Rainfall in the district (in mm): Naalumukku – 294, Ooththu – 272, Kaakkaachi – 188, Maanjolai – 116, Kodumudiyar Dam – 50, Radhapuram – 42, Papanasam Dam – 40, Manimuthar Dam and Kannadian Channel – 35, Ambasamudram – 32, Servalar Dam – 29, Nambiyar Dam – 22, Cheranmahadevi – 19, Kalakkad – 18.20, Palayamkottai – 8.20, Moolaikkaraipatti – 8 and Tirunelveli – 3.40.Following heavy flow of water in the Main Falls, Five Falls and Old Courtallam Falls in Tenkasi district, bathing was banned on Saturday considering the safety of the tourists. Published - August 01, 2026 09:15 pm IST