More than 160 flood-prone spots recognized in Vellore, its neighbouring districts

As a part of northeast monsoon preparedness, the district administrations in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet and Tirupattur have recognized a complete of 163 flood-prone spots in these districts.

Of this, Tiruvannamalai has the very best variety of low-lying areas (68), primarily in Cheyyar and Arani area, adopted by Ranipet (42), Vellore (26), and Tirupattur (27).

Residents in low-lying areas, together with river banks and canals, have been requested to maneuver to elevated areas and short-term aid centres that have been arrange by the respective district administrations.

“Vellore metropolis has 12 susceptible spots, principally within the Ariyur space close to Thorapadi lake. Each zone has no less than 4 motor pumpsets to empty out stagnated water. In Zone 4 alone, 10 pump units are in place as it’s a low-lying space,” R. Lakshmanan, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, instructed The Hindu.

Excess rainwater in Tiruvannamalai city shall be discharged to the Vengaikaal irrigation tank, maintained by the Water Resources Department (WRD) close to the Collectorate. The tank at present has round 30% of its whole storage.

In Vellore, the Corporation has desilted its stormwater drain, which runs for round 220 km, protecting key areas resembling Katpadi, Sathuvachari close to Collectorate, Old Town and Kaspa. The 9-km-long Nicholson canal within the city discharges extra rainwater from close by hills to Palar river.

Continuous rain

Key areas, together with Vellore, Arcot, Arakkonam, Walajah, Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Tiruvannamalai, Cheyyar, Jawadhu Hills and Vandavasi, have been witnessing steady rain.

Low-lying areas resembling Sampath Nagar and Kansalpet in Vellore have been inundated to a knee-deep degree resulting from steady rain. Waterbodies in these districts are filling up quick.

Currently, 4,167 waterbodies, together with 1,119 Minor Irrigation which might be maintained by the WRD, and ponds and lakes maintained by the District Rural Development Agency, are positioned in these districts.

WRD officers mentioned main reservoirs in these districts have been reaching 50% of their whole capability. Alert had been issued to residents dwelling in villages alongside water channels, the place extra rainwater from these reservoirs are being launched.