Salem/Krishnagiri: In a record rainfall, Uthangarai in Krishangiri district received 50cm of rainfall in 24 hours ending 6am on Monday, throwing life out of gear and disrupting traffic movements.
Krishnagiri collector KM Sarayu issued a flood alert to residents living along the banks of Pambaru river as the water resources department released 15,000 cusecs of water from Pambaru dam on Monday morning.
Vehicles parked near Parasaneri Lake, behind the Uthangarai bus stand, were swept away by floodwaters. Officials cleared the water from the pathway and recovered the vehicles.
Pochampalli in the district recorded 25cm of rainfall. Konur, Thippanur, Jimandiyur, Angampatty, and Mekkalampatty lakes brimmed to the full capacity.
Floodwaters inundated Keelmylampatty, Angampatty, Vasanthapuram, and Indirapuri.
Panchayat officials promptly rescued the residents from these villages and provided them shelter in nearby government schools and marriage halls. They were provided with food and water.
According to the meteorological department, Yercaud, a hill station in Salem district, recorded the highest rainfall of 23.8cm in 24 hours ending 6am on Monday. The hill station received 14.4cm in the previous 24 hours.
The heavy downpour led to landslides in multiple places along the Ghat Road. A major landslide occurred on the second hairpin bend of the Ghat Road.
District collector R Brinda Devi and highway department officials assessed the affec in ted areas.
She said all transportation to Yercaud will be suspended until further notice. She directed officials to ensure that food and essential supplies reach Yercaud residents.
In Namakkal district, the Tirumanimutharu river, which flows through Mathiyampatty near Rasipuram, has turned black and frothy due to sewage and untreated dyeing waste mixing with rainwater.
"The river is filled with foam and emits a foul odour due to its black colour, posing a risk of groundwater contamination in agricultural areas," stated M Rajasekar, a farmer from Mathiyampatty.
Traffic between Mathiyampatty and Athumedu was disrupted as the low-level bridge was submerged in rainwater.
Krishnagiri collector KM Sarayu announced a holiday for schools in Pochampalli and Uthangarai taluks on Tuesday.