One person dies, over 450 houses inundated as heavy rain lashes Erode

ERODE

Heavy rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, lashed several parts of Erode district on Friday, leaving more than 450 houses in the city and on the outskirts inundated and claiming one life.

Flooding in the Perumpallam Canal in the city led to water entering over 75 houses nearby. At 1.30 a.m., water entered the house of Rangammal, 65, of Ashokapuri, drowning her while she was asleep. Her body was sent to the Government Headquarters Hospital.

Water entered over 350 houses at Kuyavan Thittu, Rangampalayam, Anna Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Sathya Nagar, Moolapalayam, Senathipalayam, Chettipalayam and in a few other areas.

Residents said that a few water bodies had already reached their maximum capacity and they overflowed with the rain, inundating their houses. Also, water-stagnation at the railway underpasses at Vendipalayam and K.K. Nagar and at many places on the Erode–Chennimalai Road affected vehicular traffic. Seven houses were damaged across the district in the rain.

Residents said their household appliances were damaged as rainwater entered their houses suddenly. Many traders said water entered their premises and damaged goods stored in their godowns.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development S. Muthusamy inspected the affected areas and visited the people at a relief camp opened at Kaliamman Thirukovil. He asked officials to provide them with food, water and other essentials. 

The district received 638.8 mm of rain till 7 a.m. on Friday.