Three hill villages in the Bargur Hills in Erode district remained cut off on Friday (September 18) following heavy rain and a rise in the water level of the Palar river.
Kuttaiyur, Velampatti and Mattimarathalli, located along the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, were affected by the flooding. The Bargur panchayat area has been receiving moderate to heavy rain for over three days. Heavy rain was also reported in Gundri, Kadambur and Makkampalayam, which are among the catchment areas of the Palar.
Following heavy rain on Wednesday night, the Palar began swelling on Thursday. The water level rose steadily after 4 p.m., making it impossible for people to cross the river. The water level had not receded by Friday.
According to residents, the river was about 500 metres wide at the affected stretch and the water was flowing at a height of about five feet. With no bridges, residents of the three villages were unable to travel to nearby areas.
Day labourers from the villages who had gone out for work were also unable to return home due to the flooding. Residents said such disruption was a recurring problem during the monsoon whenever the Palar was in spate. They feared that the villages would continue to remain isolated every year during periods of heavy rain in the absence of a permanent crossing.
They urged the State government to construct high-level bridges across the Palar and the intervening stream to ensure safe and year-round connectivity and facilitate access to essential services.
Published – September 18, 2026 06:55 pm IST
