Tirunelveli Faces Agricultural Crisis as Flooding Devastates Crops and Homes

Tirunelveli district has been grappling with the aftermath of heavy rain that has persisted for two days, causing significant damage to crops in the Cheranmahadevei region. The situation has been exacerbated by breaches in the Vadakku Kodaimelalagian channel located in the VK Puram area, which has resulted in flooding in low-lying neighborhoods including Marutham Nager and Thiruvalluvar Nager. Reports indicate that over 120 hectares of banana crops have suffered damage across various locations in Ambasamudram and Cheranmahadevi taluks. Areas such as Kallidaikurichi, Ambasamudram, Pramadesam, and others have reported extensive losses. Additionally, approximately 275 hectares of paddy crops have also been affected, particularly in Pappankulam and Kallidaikurichi, as relentless rains continue to impact agricultural livelihoods. In response to the flooding caused by the channel breaches, local authorities have mobilized fire and rescue personnel to evacuate residents from the inundated areas. Displaced families have been moved to designated relief centers for their safety, though reports have emerged of structural damage, including the collapse of compound walls surrounding two residences. Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru visited the affected areas on Saturday, assessing the flood situation in Tirunelveli city. He announced that an allocation of Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned to address waterlogging issues, particularly at the Periyar junction bus stand. The minister emphasized the urgency of expediting the eviction of encroachments that obstruct drainage pathways, which contribute to the flooding. While Tirunelveli faces challenges from heavy rainfall, neighboring Kanniyakumari has experienced lighter rainfall on the same day. However, the Pechiparai dam reported an inflow of 966 cusecs, while the Perunchani dam saw an inflow of 299 cusecs, indicating that water levels in these reservoirs are being closely monitored. As of Saturday evening, the water level in Pechiparai stood at 41.66 feet, with Perunchani at 57.37 feet, while the Chittar and Chittar-II dams recorded levels of 14.4 feet and 14.49 feet, respectively. The ongoing weather conditions and their impact on local agriculture and infrastructure highlight the urgent need for effective disaster management and long-term strategies to mitigate the risks of flooding in these vulnerable regions.