Bathing in check dams banned in Puducherry during Northeast monsoon

The Puducherry government has prohibited people from accessing check dams at Suthukeny, Kaikilapattu, Soriyankuppam, and surrounding submerged causeways for bathing and other purposes due to the weather condition prevailing during the Northeast monsoon season in the Union Territory (UT). 

In an order issued by District Collector-cum-Chairman of Puducherry District Disaster Management Authority A. Kulothungan, the government has banned bathing, playing, fishing, swimming, photography, and other activities in check dams and surrounding water outlets. 

Due to the Northeast monsoon, the region could experience heavy rainfall, increased flow of rainwater into check dams, and mandatory release of water from reservoirs in the upstream areas. The release of water from the reservoirs could result in sudden and heavy surge of water to the downstream areas, the order said.

“It has come to the notice that even after multiple advisories issued by the government, public are playing, bathing, washing clothes/cattle, and attempting to cross check dams. This poses immediate danger to human life due to drowning, being swept away or caught in sudden floods. So, the order has been issued prohibiting entry of people into the check dams,” he said. 

Any person violating the order will be liable to punishment, including prosecution, under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the order stated.