THENI: Even as a third flood warning was issued in the five southern districts of Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga, people living along the banks of the Vaigai river in Theni and Madurai districts were evacuated and shifted to higher and safer ground.
Officials from the five districts inspected the river’s bank and steps were being taken to remove encroachments. Disaster management teams in the five districts were on standby.
Public Works Department officials were closely monitoring the situation and said that if heavy rains continued in the catchment area, the dam, which is being maintained by the PWD, would reach its full capacity in the coming days. If it so happens, it would be the second time in this year.
Meanwhile, due to heavy rain in the catchment area, the water in the Mullaiperiyar reservoir reached 134 feet on Sunday against the allowed storage capacity of 142 feet. The levels of the dams and check dams in Theni district also increased due to the outflow from Periyar and Vaigai dams.
Further, flood alerts were given to the people near the shores of Thamirabharani (Kuzhithurai) river as the inflow to Pechuparai, Perunchani, and Chittar dams had increased significantly due to rains in Kanniyakumari.