9 workers rescued from riverbed as water level surges

Trichy: Nine workers who were stranded after dismantling amusement rides on the Vellar riverbed in Perambalur district following a sudden increase in water flow were rescued by fire and rescue services personnel on Sunday.Fire service personnel said the nine from Salem had completed dismantling joy rides such as giant wheel on Saturday night as the exhibition in Labbaikudikadu had got over last week. The workers then slept on the riverbank on Saturday night. But their vehicles, including a pickup truck, were parked on the riverbed. “On Sunday morning, around 5 am, as the inflow gradually increased, they rushed to the Vellar to retrieve vehicles.”But the inflow surged quickly over 10 feet in height, leaving them stranded on the cargo vehicles, a fire official said. A team from Veppur fire station rescued all nine workers using ropes and safety jackets. Water resources department (WRD) officials said the inflow suddenly increased to 40,000 cusecs between 4 am and 5 am on Sunday due to heavy rain in the upstream areas in Salem, flowing via Tholudur check dam.While the organisers claimed to have obtained permission from the revenue department, WRD said it denied a no objection certificate (NoC) for the event. “The river can handle up to 80,000 cusecs, but a sudden and heavy inflow of rainwater from upstream areas cannot be stopped at the check dam,” a WRD official said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Trichy | Silver Rate in Trichy | Bank Holidays in Trichy | Public Holidays in TrichyStay updated with the latest Trichy news. Download the TOI App.