Tamil Nadu rains intensify; red alert keeps tourists away from Kodaikanal

Heavy Northeast monsoon rains have triggered a red alert in Kodaikanal, flooding over 20 homes and disrupting livelihoods. Cracks in a 30-year-old bridge threaten access for hundreds of families, while rising inflows have lifted Vaigai Dam's level to 50 feet

Dindigul/Theni (Tamil Nadu): With the Northeast monsoon intensifying across Tamil Nadu, a red alert has been issued for Kodaikanal, keeping tourists away and leaving popular spots in the hill station deserted.

The continuous downpour has not only affected the local hospitality and tourism sectors but has also severely disrupted the daily lives of residents in Dindigul district. In the Moonjikkal-Dobikana (Topikkanal) area of Kodaikanal, more than 20 houses were flooded, forcing residents to spend sleepless nights safeguarding their belongings and livestock.

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Local washermen, whose livelihoods depend on daily work, reported a complete halt to their routine activities. “Rainwater has entered our homes, and our livelihoods are completely paralysed. We request the municipality and the State government to build retaining walls on both sides of the water channel to prevent this recurring problem,” Ganesan, a local washerman, told PTI Videos.

Another resident, Anita Mary, a daily wage worker, highlighted the severe distress caused by the deluge, saying that families were forced to stay awake through the night as water inundated their homes, leaving them scrambling to save their domestic animals.

Residents also expressed deep concern over a 30-year-old bridge in the area that has developed cracks due to the heavy rains. The bridge serves as a crucial link for 600 to 700 families and provides access to the government playground.

Locals warned that if the structure collapsed, the neighbourhood would be isolated like an island, completely cutting off emergency access for ambulances. They urged the authorities to repair the bridge urgently and raise its height.

Meanwhile, the active monsoon has led to a significant surge in inflows into the state’s reservoirs. In neighbouring Theni district, the water level at the Vaigai Dam in Andipatti reached the 50-foot mark after a gap of nine months, officials said.