With the southwest monsoon intensifying over Valparai, overflowing streams and rising water levels have prompted the Coimbatore district administration to warn tourists against entering river stretches, cautioning that violators will face penalties.
Coimbatore:
Heavy southwest monsoon rains continued to batter the Valparai region on Friday, causing a sharp rise in the water levels of the Nadumalai and Koolangal rivers. In view of the swelling streams and the risk posed to visitors, the Coimbatore district administration has urged tourists to stay away from riverbanks and flooded stretches.
Coimbatore District Revenue Officer Anushiya and Valparai Tahsildar Arulmurugan inspected the Koolangal river to assess the flood situation and review the precautionary measures in place. During the inspection, officials issued announcements through public address systems cautioning people against bathing in the river, crossing flooded areas or grazing cattle near the overflowing water bodies.
Despite the warnings, a large number of tourists visited the area on Friday. As officials prohibited visitors from entering the river for bathing, many stopped along the roadside to take photographs and selfies before leaving the spot.
The region continued to receive substantial rainfall, with Chinnakallar recording 78 mm, followed by Sholayar Dam with 73 mm, Nirar Dam with 54 mm and Valparai town with 48 mm, reflecting the active southwest monsoon over the hill region.
With the Regional Meteorological Centre forecasting heavy rainfall over the next four days, the district administration has appealed to tourists not to enter rivers or streams under any circumstances. Officials also warned that those violating the safety restrictions would face penal action.
Heavy southwest monsoon rains continued to batter the Valparai region on Friday, causing a sharp rise in the water levels of the Nadumalai and Koolangal rivers. In view of the swelling streams and the risk posed to visitors, the Coimbatore district administration has urged tourists to stay away from riverbanks and flooded stretches.
Coimbatore District Revenue Officer Anushiya and Valparai Tahsildar Arulmurugan inspected the Koolangal river to assess the flood situation and review the precautionary measures in place. During the inspection, officials issued announcements through public address systems cautioning people against bathing in the river, crossing flooded areas or grazing cattle near the overflowing water bodies.
Despite the warnings, a large number of tourists visited the area on Friday. As officials prohibited visitors from entering the river for bathing, many stopped along the roadside to take photographs and selfies before leaving the spot.
The region continued to receive substantial rainfall, with Chinnakallar recording 78 mm, followed by Sholayar Dam with 73 mm, Nirar Dam with 54 mm and Valparai town with 48 mm, reflecting the active southwest monsoon over the hill region.
With the Regional Meteorological Centre forecasting heavy rainfall over the next four days, the district administration has appealed to tourists not to enter rivers or streams under any circumstances. Officials also warned that those violating the safety restrictions would face penal action.