Heavy and incessant rain lashed Coimbatore on Thursday, inundating low-lying areas, raising considerably the water inflow in four reservoirs and causing minor damages across the district. The district administration issued a flood alert as four shutters of the Pilloor Dam were opened to release surplus water.
As on Thursday morning, the district recorded a total rainfall of 912.30 mm, with an average rainfall of 65.16 mm.
The water level in Siruvani and Pilloor reservoirs increased overnight following torrential rain in the catchment areas and release of surplus water from Upper Bhavani, Avalanche and Kundah dams in the Nilgiris.
In the 24 hours that ended at 8 a.m. on Thursday, the catchment areas of Siruvani reservoir received 300 mm rain as against 208 mm received up to 24 hours on Wednesday morning. The water level in the dam which was 28.21 feet on Wednesday morning shot up to 34.11 feet against the full reservoir level of 49.50 feet on Thursday morning.
The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board released 48.27 mld (million litres per day) of water for supply in Coimbatore city. The Siruvani foothills received 101 mm rain that led to an increase in the flow in River Noyyal.
Reservoirs filling up
The continuous rain in upper regions and catchment areas also resulted into an increase in the water level in the Pilloor reservoir. It had a record inflow of 70,000 cusecs on Thursday evening. Considering the safety of the reservoir, the authorities released 70,000 cusecs of water through four shutters. People living along the banks of River Bhavani were issued a flood alert and asked to shift to safe places temporarily. A total of 39 families were made to stay in three wedding halls in Mettupalayam on Thursday.
The water level in Aliyar reservoir was 58.10 feet against the full reservoir level of 120 feet, with an inflow 352 cusecs and an outflow of 175 cusecs.
The catchments of Sholayar reservoir received 165 mm rain as on Thursday morning. The reservoir had an inflow of 6,613.08 cusecs and an outflow of 416.67 cusecs. The water level was 106.16 feet.
The rain also caused damages in various parts of the district though no casualty was reported. Traffic snarls were reported in Coimbatore city after low lying areas were inundated.
A bridge on the way to Vaidehi waterfalls near Narasipuram was damaged in the rain, cutting access for villagers to the city and other areas.
Sewer lines damaged
Heavy flow of rainwater resulted in damage to the underground drainage lines on the busy Nanjundapuram Road over a stretch of one km. Flood water and sewage submerged the road. Already the road is accommodating extra traffic that is diverted for enabling the Ukkadam flyover construction. The damage to Nanjundapuram Road resulted in police closing one side of the road. This led to a traffic hold-up for more than two to three km.
When contacted, District Collector K. Rajamani and Corporation Commissioner L. Shravan Kumar Jatavat said that all the men and machinery available were being diverted to assist the Highways Department in restoring the road quickly.
Relief camp in Valparai
Heavy rain shut schools in Valparai on Thursday. District administration officials set up a relief camp at Bharathiar University Arts and Science College in Valparai on Thursday.
Vijay Amirtharaj, Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Valparai taluk told The Hindu that nearly 100 people have been accommodated in the relief camp and that rainwater entered nearly 40 houses.
The Tahsildar, Revenue Divisional Officer, revenue officials and personnel from Fire and Rescue Services have camped in Valparai for relief measures, Mr. Amirtharaj said.
Helplines for trees
Osai, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), announced helplines to report uprooted trees and any other tree-related incidents.
The NGO can be contacted at 7010350066 and 842885911.
As of Wednesday morning, the rainfall recorded in various places in the district was as follows – Annur – Nil, Coimbatore Airport – 7.8mm, Mettupalayam – 6 mm, Cincona – 155 mm, Chinna Kallar – 226 mm, Valparai PAP areas – 138 mm, Valparai Taluk – 137 mm, Sholayar – 165 mm, Aliyar – 16.4 mm, Sulur – 11.7mm, Pollachi – 10 mm, Coimbatore South – 23.5 mm, Periyanaickenpalayam – nil and TNAU – 23.5 mm.
