After two relatively rain-free days, Chennai and its suburbs today received showers in the morning but normal life was not affected even as air services began operating in full swing.
Different parts of Chennai saw light showers in the morning, while the weather office had forecast cloudy skies with occasional spells of rain in the city.
Focus continued on rehabilitation of affected citizens in the city and its neighbourhood even as more volunteers, including actors like R Parthipan, Arya and Karthi, and NGOs joined the efforts, mainly taking care of supply of food and water.
The State Government said a dedicated cell at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here was receiving aid meant for flood victims.
Those willing to help people could deposit the aid there and these would be distributed by the officials of the Corporation of Chennai, who have already undertaken the work, it said.
Meanwhile, air services at the airport here resumed in full swing with domestic and international flights being operated as per schedule, officials said.
However, inclement weather for a while forced the diversion of two flights, both private carriers, from Mumbai and Kolkata and a cargo service, to Bengaluru, they added.
Further, after a week where the deluge completely paralysed operations, restaurants and other eateries inside the airport were opened today, officials said.
Meanwhile, delta districts continued to receive copious rainfall, with Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam topping the list with 22 cm, according to rainfall statistics available till 8.30 am.
Other delta districts like Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukottai also received good rainfall, the weather office said.
DMK President M Karunanidhi today visited the flood-affected areas in Chennai, including Saidapet.
In Cuddalore, which had also faced the monsoon fury, normalcy was yet to return.
Over a lakh people were still staying in 183 relief camps across the district, Cuddalore Collector S Sureshkumar told PTI.
Over 3.75 lakh food packets were being distributed daily even as 180 Army personnel, including doctors from the force, were camping in Cuddalore and Bhuvanagiri, he said.
NDRF members were also staying put at Neyveli in the district.
Two lakh hectares of samba paddy crops were submerged in Chidambaram, Kattumannarkoil and Kurinjipadi taluks in the district, officials said.
The Cuddalore-Chidambaram and Chennai-Kumbakonam roads have been closed for transport after being severely damaged due to rains, they added.
At Tirunelveli, the flood threat from Tamirabarani river receded following reduced inflows, officials said.
The inflow had reduced from 30,000 cusecs last evening to 7,000 today even as the situation in many parts of the southern districts improved.
There was no rain in the catchment areas of various dams in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts, they said.
In Tirunelveli and Tuticorin, which had seen severe inundation last week, the stagnant water was receding, officials said.
Educational institutions resumed work today.
All 11 dams in Tirunelveli had reached full level due to the heavy rains in the past few days.
The Mullaiperiyar Dam in Idukki district in Kerala, whose storage capacity stood at 141.7 feet against the full level of 142 feet was in good condition, officials said. The reservoir addresses the needs of five districts of Tamil Nadu.
The storage in Vaigai Dam in Madurai touched 64.86 feet, bringing hopes to farmers of raising an additional crop this year.
Fishermen in Rameswaram did not venture out into the sea for the eighth consecutive day due to rough seas. Schools in Pudukottai district were closed today on account of continued downpour.