In an incident reminiscent of the 2015 Chembarambakkam Lake flooding, the sudden release of 1.68 lakh cubic feet of water per second from Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai district early Sunday has led to significant distress for residents in four districts. The release, which occurred at 2:45 AM, followed a rapid increase in inflow due to heavy rainfall and flooding in the Thenpennaiyar catchment area caused by Cyclone Fengal.
According to the Water Resources Department (WRD), water inflow to the dam rose sharply over a few hours. The inflow, measured at 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) at 6 AM on 1 December 2024, surged to 1 lakh cusecs by 12:45 AM on 2 December 2024 and further escalated to 1.68 lakh cusecs by 2:45 AM. As the dam’s water level approached its full capacity of 119 feet, officials discharged the incoming water to ensure its structural safety.
The release of water caused widespread flooding along the Thenpennai River, impacting Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts. Homes, agricultural lands, and infrastructure were inundated, livestock perished, and vehicles were swept away. Traffic was severely disrupted on key routes, including the Chennai-Trichy National Highway. Floodwaters overflowed parts of the highway at Arasur, cutting off road connectivity to southern districts.
The WRD stated that flood warnings were issued in stages on 1 December 2024. A first warning was released around 9 AM, followed by subsequent updates at 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon. A later notification at 7:00 PM announced that 30,000 cusecs of water would be released. However, the actual release far exceeded the estimate, with 1 lakh cusecs discharged by 12:45 am and 1.68 lakh cusecs by 2:45 AM.
The WRD informed the media of the situation at 4:15 AM, but many residents were caught off guard as the rapid escalation occurred during the night. Owing to insufficient awareness and limited media outreach, affected residents could likely have been unprepared.
Officials from the WRD defended their actions, citing the need to protect the Sathanur Dam and manage increased inflows from other water sources, including Krishnagiri, Vaniyar, and Pambar dams. The department emphasized that the water release was necessary to prevent a potential dam breach.
Residents in affected districts expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication and preparedness. Many reported losing belongings and facing challenges evacuating in the middle of the night. Relief efforts are underway, with authorities working to restore road connectivity and assess the damage.
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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