Flood alert in 5 Tamil Nadu districts as dams overflow due to heavy rain

A flood warning has been issued for five districts in Tamil Nadu as dams are overflowing due to incessant rains battering the state.

The red alert on floods has been issued for the districts of Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.

The Vaigai Dam officer said the red alert has been issued as the 4,230 cubic feet of excess water has been discharged from Theni, according to news agency ANI.

The BBC weather bulletin has also predicted more heavy rain in Tamil Nadu in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Tiruvallur district administration has also issued a red alert in 11 villages after 500 cusecs of water was released from Red Hills lake following heavy rains in the catchment area.

District Collector, Alby George in a statement said that 500 cusecs water was released from Red Hill Lake after the weather department predicted more rains in the coming days.

The Collector said that residents living in low-lying areas including Thandal, Naravarikuppam, Kazhani, Grandline, Vadakarai, Puzhal, Vadperumbukkam, Mathur, Vasapur, Manali, and Sadayankuppam.

As much as 569 cusecs of surplus water was discharged from Chembarambakam lake. The state authorities are also keeping a watch on Poondi, Cholavaram reservoirs after heavy rains in the catchment areas

The state is being lashed by incessant rains for two weeks and the IMD has predicted more downpours in the coming days.

The Met Department has also warned fishermen that it is dangerous to go out to sea due to the stormy weather.