Udhagamandalam: Overnight rains in some parts of the Nilgiris have brought cheer to the people in general and the farming community in particular.

With the North East Monsoon being conspicuous by its absence so far this year,the people were looking skywards and keeping their fingers crossed.Concern was growing over the rapidly falling water level in reservoirs especially in places like Coonoor.

Consequently the wetting on Sunday night was described as, “most welcome”.

Adverting to the 115mm of rainfall recorded in Coonoor at 8.30 a.m. on Monday,a resident S.Ananthakrishnan told Covai Post it has raised the hopes of the people.He added that water scarcity had become acute and at some places the people were getting water only once in a fortnight.

Official sources said that Burliar on the Coonoor-Mettupalayam highway also recorded 115 mm of rainfall.While Geddhai received 73 mm,Kundah Bridge recorded 33 mm.

The Joint Director of Horticulture N.Mani said that the rainfall has benefited standing crops and tea gardens in Coonoor and its surroundings.