Eral causeway washed away after heavy rain

The causeway at Eral in Thoothukudi district, which has been reeling under the impact of heavy rain and floods in the Tamirabharani for the past few days, was washed on Monday

The causeway at Eral in Thoothukudi district, which has been reeling under the impact of heavy rain and floods in the Tamirabharani for the past few days, was washed on Monday.

Residents in around 45 hamlets depend on this causeway, which connects Eral and Kurumbur. It had been a vital link for the residential areas, schools, and hospitals on both sides of the river. Already, last year an overbridge in Eral near this causeway was damaged in the Tamirabharani floods and became inaccessible.

Residents from Eral reported the damage to the causeway to District Collector as soon as they noticed it and he assured them that action would be taken at once. The length of the causeway was approximately 700 metres and without immediate restoration, they would have to travel around 13 km to cross the river.

Collector K. Elambahavath said the Highways Department had begun temporary restoration effort of the causeway and had taken steps to find a permanent remedy. He said: “More than 100 electric pumps are being used to pump water from the flooded areas in the city and the water is being released through the Buckle Canal.”

The Collector said the quantum of water released in the Tamirabharani had been reduced with the discharge from Marudhur anicut lowered to 5,648 cusecs and from the Srivaikuntam dam to 10,370 cusecs.