Tamil Nadu rains: Several villages in Theni inundated; 200 acres of harvest-ready paddy crops submerged

TORRENTIAL rains and flash floods left a trail of destruction in several villages in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of people to safer places.

The Vaigai River breached its banks on Sunday morning, inundating several low-lying areas across Uthamapalayam, Veerapandi, Uppukottai and Palanichettipatti. 

The floods, which local people described as the worst in at least three decades, caused the loss of around 60 goats and 7,500 poultry and damage to 18 houses.

The famous Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple and the nearby settlements were completely cut off as the road leading to the shrine was washed away, media reports claimed on Sunday.

More than 200 acres of paddy ready for harvest were submerged, while standing crops of banana, coconut, and maize were also destroyed.

Officials said rescue and relief operations are underway in full swing, and stranded residents are being evacuated using JCB machines and boats. Several schools and public halls have been converted into temporary relief centres.

Incessant rains have prompted authorities to increase water release from Kerala's Mullaperiyar Dam, leading to a rise in the water level in Vaiga Dam.

The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department, which manages the Mullaperiyar dam, has issued an alert as all 13 shutters of the dam were opened by 1 pm on Saturday, releasing 7,163 cusecs of water.

Authorities have banned bathing in Suruli waterfalls and issued an advisory against entering rivers.

The southern districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin and Virudhunagar received heavy rains overnight, while the northern districts of Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai and Ranipet also witnessed moderate to heavy rains.