Five persons were washed away in Cauvery in Reddiyur near Mettur in Salem. The search is on to find the missing persons.
Saravanan, his wife Mythili and their son Hariharan (9) were in Reddiyur to visit their relative Thanusri (20). They reached Reddiyur from Perundurai in Erode on Sunday morning and went to take bath in Cauvery near Thanusri’s house. They took Raveena (15) and Vaanisri (20) along with them to Cauvery.
It is said that Hariharan first got stuck in the current, and to rescue him, the others also moved towards the current. Since Thanusri knew swimming, she was able to get back to the riverbank, while the others were swept away by the water.
Personnel from the Fire and Rescue services and police department are in search for the missing people.
Speaking to TNM, Salem District Collector Rohini Bhajibhakare said, “It is very unfortunate. We have been warning the people in the villages along the banks of River Cauvery and also around the reservoir about the outflow. We have been using the traditional method of using drums, and sent people to villages to make announcements. We have also put up warning signs all over the place. It seems like the people ignored the warning signs and have gone into the river.”
The Collector also said that the officials from the Fire and Rescue services, police department and revenue department were at the spot and were coordinating the search operations.
Flood alerts were issued in Salem and Dharmapuri districts last week due to high inflow at Biligundlu.
People living in low-lying areas around Mettur dam were asked to move to a higher area and make arrangements to protect their livestock. People were also advised to not enter the river to wash clothes or for bathing.
Water is being released from Mettur dam for irrigation since Thursday. Initially 2,000 cusecs water was released which was increased to 20,000 cusecs.
The inflow to Mettur from Karnataka – Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini dams stood at more than 62,000 cusecs on Sunday due to the heavy rainfall continuing in the Cauvery catchment areas.