The district administration has sounded a flood alert downstream the Thenpannai river in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Tiruvannamalai districts owing to a rise in water level at the KRP dam and subsequent water release.

The dam’s water level reached 49.95 cu. ft of its total capacity of 52 cu. ft on Friday (September 25), and water was being released at 600 cusecs through the spillway and the river sluice, according to the district administration. Inflow, too, was at 600 cusecs.

In Krishnagiri, flood alert was issued to eight villages — Periyamuthur, Thimmapuram, Sundekuppam. Kaveripattinam, Kalvehalli, Penneswaramadam, Souttahalli, and Thallihalli villages.

People living along the river downsteam were advised to move to higher ground and avoid entering the river, District Collector C. Dinesh Kumar said.