Around 2,000 evacuated in Nagapattinam as Kollidam swells

Officials said residents of Alakudi, Mudhalalaimedumedu, Thirumayiladi and Kollidam village, all located in the Kollidam block, were evacuated. At least 810 families in these four villages were stranded as water surrounded their houses.

In total, nearly 2,000 residents were moved to the rehabilitation areas set up in Keezhavadi, Pazhuranpadugai, Konnakupadaugai and Kandapadugai.

The rescued people were also accommodated in higher secondary schools in Aachalpuram and Thulasendirapuram.

Around 370 people are being accommodated in a community hall in Thulasendirapuram.

State textiles minister OS Manian, District Collector S Suresh Kumar, Superintendent of Police C Vijayakumar inspected the inundated villages and interacted with the residents. They also went around in boats and urged the people via microphones to move out of their houses.

Meanwhile, around 200 families from several areas along the Kollidam in Thanjavur district including Thirupurampiam in Kumbakonam and Papanasam were evacuated on Friday night. The flood waters also inundated Koodalur, Pattukudi villages.

The district administration had given a flood alert to as many as 33 villages. Since over 3 lakh cusecs of water has been flowing in the Kollidam, the Anaikarai bridge in Kumbakonam was closed for heavy vehicles to prevent any untoward incidents.