Palar surge hits life in Ambur-Gudiyatham belt

Many residents have moved to temporary relief camps

A sudden surge in the level in the Palar since Friday morning has disrupted life in Tirupatur, Vellore and Ranipet districts. Many residents have moved to temporary relief camps.

“Heavy rain, especially in the hilly areas, has pushed up the level in the Palar. So far, 4,068 persons have been accommodated in 25 relief camps in Ambur alone,” said S. Anatha Krishnan, Tasildar, Ambur taluk.

Officials said continuous rain in the catchments, including Tirupattur town, Natrampalli, Kandeli and Vanniyambadi and in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, pushed the level up in the river and in minor irrigation tanks and lakes. These districts have 4,167 waterbodies. Among them are 1,119 minor irrigation tanks maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). The rest come under the Rural Development Department. Nearly 50% of them have reached their capacity.