Tamil Nadu rains: Widespread floods hit Uthangarai, Pochampalli in Krishnagiri

Lake Parasaneri in Uthangarai, Krishnagiri district, overflows onto the the Tirupathur-Uthangarai road, washing away parked vehicles. This region received the maximum rainfall of 50 cm as of 7 a.m. on Monday
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Unprecedented rains in Uthangarai and Pochampalli in Krishnagiri district breached lakes, flooded habitations, and snapped highway connectivity on Monday (December 2, 2024).

Uthangarai experienced night-long rains, registering the highest rainfall of 50 cm (503 mm) as of 7 a.m on Monday. The downpour led to inundation caused by heavy runoff from the lakes nearby.

A police station in Pochampalli near Uthangarai severely inundated owing to heavy downpour in Krishnagiri district. Pochampalli received 250 mm of rainfall on Monday
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Waters of Parasaneri lake breached from volume,with the floodwaters flowing onto the Tirupathur-Uthangarai road, washing away parked vehicles on the road.

All five shutters of Paambaru dam were opened to release 15,000 cusecs of water, considering the reservoir’s safety, spawning a flood alert to people living along the river banks. Paambaru dam’s inflow increased due to heavy rains in Uthangarai and Javadhu hills in Tiruvannamalai. The entire inflow was released as outflow.

Road connectivity affected

Roads from Uthangarai to Vellore and Tiruvannamalai were completely flooded, and a few vehicles were washed off the roads by the flowing waters on the Uthangarai highway.

The neighbouring Pochampalli received 250 mm of rainfall, resulting in heavy inundation from overflowing lakes. Konannur lake breached, inundating shuttered shops. Flooding caused by Konannur lake’s runoff waters snapped connectivity between Pochampalli and Thirupathur and Pochmapalli and Dharmapuri. Floodwaters entered the Pochampalli police station, besides disrupting vehicle movement along the critical inter-district roads.

Collector Sarayu, speaking to The Hindu, said the flooding was caused by overflowing lakes. Habitations in and around the lakes have been inundated, and over 80 people have been evacuated to the two relief centres in Uthangarai. Over 240 people have been housed in the four relief centres in Pochampalli. There were no casualties, Ms. Sarayu added.

The public may seek help through the taluk office control rooms for each taluk on the corresponding numbers: Krishnagiri (04343-236050); Bargur (04343-266161); Uthangarai (04341-220028); Pochampalli (04341- 252370); Shoolagiri (04344-292098, 252998); Hosur (04344 -222493); Denkanikottai (04347-235041; and Anchetty (04347-236411).