Three villages marooned by flash floods in Bargur Hills

Heavy rain that lashed the Bargur Hills area late on Monday triggered flash floods in the Palar and Maniyachi Pallam stream and marooned Kuttaiyur, Velampatti, and Mattimarahalli villages along the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border in Erode district.

Due to the floods, over 250 families in the villages have been unable to leave their homes for work or for purchasing essential commodities. While the Palar flows on one side of these villages, the Maniyachi Pallam stream runs on the other.

Villagers said normalcy would return only after the waters recede. They added that frequent flooding severely affected schoolchildren, who had to cross the stream to reach their schools in Makkampalayam and Kadambur. They have urged the State government to construct high-level bridges across the river, and the stream to ensure safe connectivity during the monsoon.

When contacted, Collector S. Kandasamy told The Hindu that the flash floods were temporary and that water had started receding by the end of the day. He said revenue officials were in touch with the residents and had ensured that all essential supplies were available to people in the three hamlets.

Mr. Kandasamy added that a proposal to construct two bridges across the river and stream had already been submitted, and work would commence once approval is obtained. “Bridges are the only permanent solution for connectivity for the people in the three hamlets,” he said.