Tamil Nadu Rains 2021: How Strong Are The Dams? Residents Worry As Cracks Surface

The officials have currently kept sandbags to stop the outflow of the water from the dam on the river Sankaraparani in Puducherry which got damaged

The dam in Cuddalore (Credit: ABP Nadu)

Chennai: The recent heavy rains battering the state from Sunday have thrown light on the conditions and the strength of the dams in Tamil Nadu. A 110-year-old dam in Puducherry, which suffered damages during the rains in 2016, once again cracked open during the recent rains on Tuesday.

According to a report on ABP Nadu, a dam was built in the Sankaraparani river during British rule in 1906. However, the dam's condition deteriorated but the district administration did not pay heed to it, alleged residents.

Following this, the dam suffered damages due to the heavy rains in 2016. Even after the damages, the residents alleged that no action was taken which resulted in the water being leaked from the dam directly into the sea. 

However, the officials have currently kept sandbags to stop the outflow of the water.

In another incident in Thalavanur of Villupuram district, a check dam constructed across the Thenpennai river broke due to the heavy rains that pounded the district. This is the second time within a year the dam got damaged, according to a report on Indian Express. 

The dam between Cuddalore and Villupuram has six vents and was constructed only during the previous AIADMK regime. The dam was built at the cost of Rs 25 crore and was inaugurated by former TN Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam in September 2020. 

Talking about the incident, TN Higher Education Minister Ponmudi said, the dam was constructed during the AIADMK regime a year ago and they have initiated action against the authorities responsible for the damage. He also said that the incident showed proof of frailties in AIADMK's governance.