Coimbatore: With the Gandhavayal high-level bridge submerged in the flooded Bhavani river, the Sirumugai Panchayat Administration has announced that arrangements for a motorboat has been made for public to travel from tomorrow so as not to be stranded.
Coimbatore: With the Gandhavayal high-level bridge submerged in the flooded Bhavani river, the Sirumugai Panchayat Administration has announced that arrangements for a motorboat has been made for public to travel from tomorrow so as not to be stranded.
Villages near Mettupalayam such as Gandhavayal, Uliyoor and Allur are located in the water reservoir areas of the Bhavani Sagar dam. Over 3,000 villagers inhabit these tribal areas. The water inflow in the Bhavani Sagar Dam has been on the rise due to the flooded Bhavani river caused by the incessant monsoon rains during the last few weeks.
Since the water level of the dam reached its full capacity of 104 ft., the 30 ft. bridge that connects the three villages to Mettupalayam was flooded upto about 10 ft. above the bridge. Over the past week, the water had risen to more than half a km across the bridge. Villagers were stranded without transport and resorted to using ferries to cross 50 ft. deep water. School students have been most affected in this scenario. Following the complaint registered by the public to the district administration and following the order by the District Collector, K Rajamani, the Sirumugai Panchayat Administration announced that a motorboat will be made available to cross the flooded areas.
The motorboat has been brought from Pollachi's Anaimalai and life jackets too have been provided to ensure the safety of the villagers considering the depth of the river. Four well-trained men including one driver and four assistants from Kottur Panchayat Administration have been recruited. The motorboat can transport 20 people in one trip and will be free of cost for school children and at a cost of Rs. 5 for adults. The Sirumugai Panchayat Administration has advised the public to make optimum use of the motorboat facility.
Villages near Mettupalayam such as Gandhavayal, Uliyoor and Allur are located in the water reservoir areas of the Bhavani Sagar dam. Over 3,000 villagers inhabit these tribal areas. The water inflow in the Bhavani Sagar Dam has been on the rise due to the flooded Bhavani river caused by the incessant monsoon rains during the last few weeks.
Since the water level of the dam reached its full capacity of 104 ft., the 30 ft. bridge that connects the three villages to Mettupalayam was flooded upto about 10 ft. above the bridge. Over the past week, the water had risen to more than half a km across the bridge. Villagers were stranded without transport and resorted to using ferries to cross 50 ft. deep water. School students have been most affected in this scenario. Following the complaint registered by the public to the district administration and following the order by the District Collector, K Rajamani, the Sirumugai Panchayat Administration announced that a motorboat will be made available to cross the flooded areas.
The motorboat has been brought from Pollachi's Anaimalai and life jackets too have been provided to ensure the safety of the villagers considering the depth of the river. Four well-trained men including one driver and four assistants from Kottur Panchayat Administration have been recruited. The motorboat can transport 20 people in one trip and will be free of cost for school children and at a cost of Rs. 5 for adults. The Sirumugai Panchayat Administration has advised the public to make optimum use of the motorboat facility.