Chennai, Dec 5 (NationPress) The effects of Cyclone Fengal, which wreaked havoc in various districts of Tamil Nadu, have diminished. However, three villages—Kuppam Kandigai, Kaliyanur, and Melvilagam—located alongside the Kosasthalaiyar River in Tiruvallur district, are still cut off, officials announced on Thursday.

The intense rainfall and subsequent flooding have obliterated the causeway that was essential for crossing the river.

The release of excess water from the Ammapalli Dam in Andhra Pradesh instigated flooding in the Kosasthalaiyar, leading to the destruction of the causeway in Kuppam Kandigai on Sunday.

With the causeway no longer viable, more than 200 families and 60 school students in Kuppam Kandigai, Kaliyanur, and Melvilagam are faced with two perilous choices: risk crossing a hazardous railway bridge or remain trapped in their homes.

At least 20 children from Melvilagam, who attend the Government Higher Secondary School in Vidaiyur and a private institution, have been compelled to skip classes. “I cannot go to school even with my mid-term exams set to start on December 9,” lamented a Class 10 student from the village.

Inhabitants of Kaliyanur and Melvilagam report enduring similar challenges each monsoon as the Kosasthalaiyar River swells.

The construction of a bridge in Kaliyanur commenced in 2016-17 but remains incomplete.

“Last year, several students fell from the unfinished bridge while trying to navigate across using a rope,” recounted Angamuthu from Vidaiyur. Nemiliagaram Panchayat President Vijayalakshmi Damodaran noted that the project for the bridge at Melvilagam is also yet to be completed.

Tiruvallur MLA V.G. Rajendran assured residents that a tender would be issued shortly for the construction of a new bridge to replace the damaged causeway. He further stated that the ongoing construction of the two bridges across the Kosasthalaiyar River would be finalized soon.

In the meantime, vegetable farmers are facing significant challenges as the demolished causeway forces them to take a longer route via Perambakkam to reach Tiruvallur and sell their goods. Residents expressed their frustration regarding the delays in the bridge construction projects, which remain partially completed. The bridges in Vidaiyur, intended to connect Kaliyanur and Melvilagam to the Tiruvallur district headquarters, are still unfinished, causing distress among the villagers.