Tragedy Strikes: Teenager Swept Away in Flash Floods at Old Courtallam Waterfalls

A somber incident unfolded at the Old Courtallam Waterfalls in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district on Friday, claiming the life of a 16-year-old boy who was washed away in flash floods. The tragedy occurred in the evening while several people were bathing in the waterfall, caught off guard by the sudden surge of water as the waterfall’s level rose unexpectedly.

A frantic search operation ensued to locate the missing teenager. Sadly, his lifeless body was discovered trapped between rocks a few meters away from the waterfall a few hours later.

Accompanied by relatives, the teenager had ventured to the waterfall for a dip, only for the excursion to end in tragedy.

Visuals captured the chaotic scene as people scrambled to safety, fleeing from the swelling waterfall.

In response to the incident, senior officials from the Tenkasi district administration visited the site to assess the situation. Entry to the waterfall has since been restricted following heavy rainfall in the area and its surroundings.

Meanwhile, in the Nilgiris, torrential downpours prompted authorities to advise tourists to postpone their travel plans until May 20. With an ‘orange alert’ forecast by the India Meteorological Department indicating the likelihood of intense rainfall between May 18 and 20, around 3,500 disaster response personnel have been placed on standby. Additionally, approximately 250 temporary shelters have been prepared, with residents urged to remain indoors for their safety.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued predictions of continued showers in Tamil Nadu, Karaikal, and Puducherry over the next five days, with heavy to very heavy rainfall anticipated in districts including Tenkasi, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, and Thoothukudi.