Heavy rain in Yercaud since yesterday, August 4, has disrupted normal life and movement has been cut off from nearly 10 villages in the hill station due to waterlogging on the roads. The roads are inundated with water and streams throughout the hill station are flooded, making it difficult for cars and other vehicles to use the roads. Further, large rocks and branches from trees are being washed away by the rain onto the roads, causing further disruption to normal life. Work in construction sites and coffee estates have come to a halt, adding on to the resident’s difficulties.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday, August 4, took stock of the situation arising out of heavy rain in several districts in the state and ordered the district Collectors to not release water from dams without prior intimation to residents. The Chief Minister, who reviewed the situation virtually from Chennai, directed them to take precautionary measures in safeguarding foodgrains, especially paddy bags, at the direct procurement centres. Steps should be taken to keep ready earthmovers, tree-pruning machines, multi-departmental teams and rescue teams, he said.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that low pressure winds might be formed in the Bay of Bengal, which could lead to heavy rainfall in parts of neighbouring Kerala on Sunday, August 7. The IMD had issued a red warning for parts of Tamil Nadu from August 2 till August 4, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in several places. Further, a flood alert was also sounded to the people living on the banks of rivers and also low-lying areas of Mettur dam in Salem. Earlier, IMD had predicted isolated rain with thunderstorms from August 1 to August 4, due to a cyclonic circulation over the state as the reason for the widespread rain. In its bulletin released on Tuesday, August 2, the department has issued a red warning to four districts for two days.

(With PTI inputs)