Alert along banks as 2.13L cusecs flow in Delta rivers

TIRUCHY: Collectors from various districts in the Delta region have issued flood warning as the release from the Mettur dam has been stepped up to 2.13 lakh cusecs. Preventive measures have already been initiated and rescue teams have been asked to be on vigil across the region.

According to official sources, the Upper Anicut (Mukkombu) in Tiruchy received 1.90 lakh cusecs from Mettur at 6 am on Monday and 1.28 lakh cusecs was released into the Kollidam and 62,000 into the Cauvery. But, the inflow steadily increased and by afternoon on Monday, it rose to 2.13 lakh cusecs with 1.40 lakh cusecs discharged into the Kollidam and 73,000 cusecs into the Cauvery.

Since both the rivers were having a heavy flow, Tiruchy Collector M Pradeep Kumar inspected Mukkombu in the morning and instructed PWD officials to monitor constantly and release the water carefully into both the Kollidam and the Cauvery.

As a precautionary measure, the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat in Srirangam was closed for the public while a flood alert was sounded along the Kollidam banks. Later, the Collector ordered the closing of all the bathing ghats along the Cauvery and the Kollidam. As the inflow was heavy, the water crossed the causeway at Kilikoodu and reached the Kollidam.

Meanwhile, there was flooding in Ayyar River as 12,300 cusecs was flowing downstream from Kolli hills and the Collector after inspecting the Gunaseelam area asked officials to step up safety measures and prevent public reaching the banks.

As part of precautionary measures, a 34-member state disaster response force and a team of 30 police personnel along with the revenue department have been kept ready to handle emergency situations in Tiruchy district.

Similarly, flood prevention activities were stepped up at Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts.

16 Cows swept away near Kallanai

TIRUCHY: As many as 16 cows, which were grazing along the Cauvery banks, were washed away on Monday after they attempted to swim against the current.

As there was heavy flow in both Cauvery and Kollidam, a herd of 16 cows grazing along the Cauvery banks near Grand Anicut (Kallanai) were swept away and they reached near the shutters of Kallanai. The cattle attempted to swim against the current in Kallanai, which was witnessing a heavy flow. People also tried to rescue them. But, all went futile as they were washed away into the Kollidam river.

Later, Thanjavur Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver who visited Kallanai, urged the people not to go near the rivers. He also told the people not to send their cattle close to the rivers as the inflow may increase at any time. He also inspected the flood prevention activities at Kothangudi, Neelathanallur and Anaikarai areas. For emergencies, he provided the toll free number 1077 and the Thanjavur district control room 04362-264114, 264115.