• UGI USER
  • May 19, 2024
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FLASH FLOODS CLAIM LIVES IN TAMIL NADU; BATHING BANNED IN WATERFALLS

Why in the news?

  • A 17-year-old boy and a 33-year-old man were washed away by flash floods in Tenkasi and Theni, Tamil Nadu, triggered by sudden heavy rain.
  • Bathing was banned in all Courtallam waterfalls by the Tenkasi District Collector due to an IMD ‘Orange alert.’

About Flash Floods:

  • Sudden and rapid floods occurring within hours of heavy rainfall or intense water accumulation events.
  • Timing: Typically caused by rainfall creating flooding in less than 6 hours, according to the US National Weather Service.
  • Primary Causes: Heavy rain, Dam or levee failures, Ice or debris jams,Sudden release of water from natural reservoirs like glacial lakes.
  • Characteristics: Highly localised events of short duration, Very high peak water levels, Exacerbated by choked drainage lines or encroachments hindering water flow.
source:LotusArise
About Kutralam Falls (Courtallam Falls):

  • Name: Kutralam Falls (Courtallam Falls)
  • Location: Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu
  • Characteristics:
  • Known as a “medical spa”
  • Waters emit a medicinal odour
  • Consists of nine falls in total

India Meteorological Department (IMD):

  • Establishment: Founded in 1875.
  • Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
  • Role: National Meteorological Service of India, dealing with meteorology and related subjects.
  • Headquarter: New Delhi.
  • Six Regional Meteorological Centres: Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur and Guwahati.