Discharge from Mettur dam: houses flooded in Bhavani in Erode district

With the discharge from Mettur Dam into River Cauvery stepped up to 1.13 lakh cusecs, a youth watches the river from atop his flooded house at Palakarai in Bhavani in Erode district in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

With the discharge from Mettur Dam into River Cauvery stepped up to 1.13 lakh cusecs on Sunday, over 50 houses in Bhavani and Kodumudi were flooded and residents were moved to safer locations.

The situation remains critical in Palakarai in Bhavani where flood water entered many houses located along the banks of the river. While most of the residents were moved to safe locations along with their belongings, a few people refused to move.

Revenue officials warned them that the situation could turn worse if the discharge was stepped up as there is a possibility that their houses would get submerged.

Likewise, over 20 families in Karungalpalayam, Parisal Thurai, near Lakkapuram, and Kodumudi were also moved to safe locations and were accommodated at schools. The Vinayagar Statue at Parisal Thurai and the graveyard, both located along the river, got submerged in the early hours of Sunday.

Revenue officials and the police personnel continue to warn the people against entering the river for bathing and washing of clothes.

District Revenue Officer S. Kavitha told The Hindu that though the situation is critical at a few places in the district, no untoward incidents were reported as officials continue to monitor the water level and warn people.