With the Northeast monsoon on the horizon, Cuddalore's top official spent Saturday walking riverbanks and construction sites. District Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar inspected flood mitigation projects executed by the Water Resources Department (WRD) in Gunduuppalavadi, Kandakadu and Thirupathiripuliyur on September 5, 2026, and instructed officials to expedite the work to minimise inundation before the rains set in.

Key facts

  • Inspection held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, across Gunduuppalavadi, Kandakadu and Thirupathiripuliyur
  • Works include check-dams, drainage facilities, sluices to prevent breaches along riverbanks, strengthening of flood-damaged embankments and flood-protection walls
  • Major projects worth ₹57 crore, ₹63 crore, ₹45 crore and ₹14.50 crore were reviewed
  • Officials directed to expedite work before the onset of the Northeast monsoon
₹57 croreThenpennaiar riverbank strengthening
₹63 croreMelpattampakkam check dam
₹45 crorePagandai & Thirupathiripuliyur works
₹14.50 croreKumarappan Nagar flood wall

A permanent shield for the Thenpennaiar

The centrepiece of the inspection was the ₹57 crore project to strengthen the banks of the Thenpennaiar River — a permanent flood-control measure for low-lying areas that are vulnerable to flooding during the northeast monsoon. The work involves strengthening the riverbanks for 2,900 metres and building a 1,270-metre retaining wall.

Once completed, the project is expected to protect agricultural land and residential areas in six villages and 27 wards of Cuddalore Corporation from flooding.

Mr. Senthil Kumar also reviewed the ₹14.50 crore construction of a flood-protection wall stretching 1,350 metres from Kumarappan Nagar to the District Collectorate. About 95% of that work has been completed, and it is expected to protect residential areas and agricultural land from flooding once finished.

Check dam to recharge groundwater

At Melpattampakkam in Panruti, the Collector inspected a check dam and a flood-protection wall being built at ₹63 crore. Beyond holding back floodwaters, the project is designed to recharge groundwater and benefit 131 borewells across Melpattampakkam, Viswanathapuram, Vanapakkam, Sornavur Melpathi, Perichapakkam and Kalinjikuppam villages. It will also help irrigate 2,410.12 hectares of agricultural land — a significant boost for farmers in the region.

Race against the rains

The inspection rounds also covered flood-protection works at Pagandai and Thirupathiripuliyur, being executed at a cost of ₹45 crore. Throughout the visit, the Collector's message to WRD officials was consistent: speed up. With the northeast monsoon bringing the bulk of Cuddalore's flood risk each year, the district administration is keen to have embankments, sluices and protection walls ready before the first heavy spells arrive.