Over 350 moved to safety in 3 districts: Minister

Addressing the media persons, Udayakumar said that Central Water Commission gave a warning on August 9 that due to heavy rain in Kerala and Karnataka, 1 lakh cusecs of water would reach Mettur dam and the state was asked to take all required measures. The alert was immediately passed to all the district Collectors, in Cauvery basin and all protective measures were taken. 

“People should avoid taking bath or swimming in Cauvery river. Taking selfies should also be avoided. Children should not be taken to the shore and parents are requested to take utmost care while taking their children are near the Cauvery river,” said Udayakumar. 

He also said that people go for fishing in the river and think that they are fishing in the coast but, out of excitement, they slip into the river. Though in most of the villages, Adi Peruku festival had ended, people still celebrate Adi by entering into the rivers and in such cases, the district administration would stay vigil to prevent people from entering into the river.

People were also warned to avoid traveling in causeway across the Cauvery river since the water flow is high in the river. However, people need not panic, as people in low lying areas are evacuated, the minister added.

He further added that four rescue camps were setup in Namakkal, Salem and Erode districts and in the camp, 359 people were made to stay. “Nearly, 78 families from Namkkal were made to stay in two rescue camps, 20 families from Erode in a camp and another four families from Salem were lodged in the fourth camp,” Udayakumar said. 

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned that Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul and Tirunelveli districts would receive heavy rain on August 13 and 14 and the fishermen were instructed not to go for fishing in Northern Andhra Pradesh coast. 

As Cauvery is in spate due to heavy discharge of water from Karnataka reservoirs, people of low lying areas in Namakkal and Erode districts got flooded, on Sunday. 

Nearly 80 families from Indira Nagar, Kalalaimahal Street and surrounding areas in Kumarapalayam in Namakkal district were evacuated and sheltered at temporary rescue centres after these neighbourhoods got inundated. The displaced families were provided with food and medicine. 

Namakkal district Collector M Asia Mariam, heard the grievance of displaced families at relief centres and also visited the flooded localities. She told media that 286 people have been evacuated and sheltered at relief camps.  

“People should not venture into flooded streets and frequent warnings have been given through public address system. The district administration is receiving alerts for every two hours on water being discharged from Mettur dam and to take suitable precautionary measures,” she said. 

The Collector further added that there seems to be no problem in Mohanur, where Cauvery river is wide enough to carry copious water, however, flooding has affected mainly Kumarapalayam area in the district. 

“Continuous awareness is being created among the public living in low lying areas to move to safer locations with their belongings and not to go near water bodies,” she said.  

Erode district collector S Prabhakar said that a flood alert has been issued to 18 revenue villages. 

“Around 90 families living in flood-prone low lying areas along the course of river Bhavani were shifted to relief camps. All arrangements have been in made place at the relief camps,” he said.