Two feared dead in flash floods

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, JAN. 2. One person was drowned and another was feared to have been washed away in flash floods, triggered by heavy overnight rain in the hills of Western Ghats in and around the areas of Watrap in Virudhunagar district on Tuesday.

Police sources claimed that the body of Vijayan (28) of Akasampatti near Watrap was recovered from the floods on Tuesday morning.

The search for Rajukonar (60) of Agathampatti, suspected to have been caught in the floods, was on. According to Virudhunagar District Collector, Mr. M. Saikumar, Koomapatti and Adagapatti were cut off due to flood waters of knee-deep.

As Pilavakkal reservoir received unusually heavy inflow, the authorities opened all its sluices.

The waters breached a few tanks which resulted in floods. Fire service personnel from various places had been rushed to the spot to rescue the marooned villagers of Sundrapandiam, Keelatheru, Meleatheru and other small hamlets around Watrap.

While Pilavakkal had been cut off from Watrap, bus services between Watrap and Koomapatti also had been suspended.

A sum of Rs. 15,000 had been given as relief to the family members of the deceased Vijayan.

The flood situation was brought under control as the authorities concerned had brought down the discharge level of Pilavakkal reservoir from 4000 cusecs overnight to 400 cusecs on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, widespread rain was reported in the catchment areas of Periyar and Vaigai dams.

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Section  : Southern States
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