Heavy rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed several parts of Erode district leading to rainwater entering more than 450 houses within the city limits and in its outskirts, on Friday, and causing the death of one resident.
Flooding in the Perumpallam Canal in Erode city led to water entering over 75 houses located in low-lying areas near the canal, early on Friday. At 1.30 a.m., water entered the house of Rangammal, 65, of Ashokapuri and she drowned while she was asleep. Her body was recovered and sent to the Government Headquarters Hospital.
Likewise, water entered over 350 houses at Kuyavan Thittu, Rangampalayam, Anna Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Sathya Nagar, Moolapalayam, Senathipalayam, Chettipalayam and a few other areas. Residents said that apart from rain water, since a few water bodies have reached their maximum storage capacity, the overflow from them also contributed to the inundation of their houses. A total of seven houses were damaged across the district due to rain.
Residents complained that their household appliances were damaged as rainwater entered their houses suddenly, leaving them no time to prepare for the eventuality. Also, many traders said that water entered their premises and caused damage to goods stored in their godowns.
Water logging at the railway underpasses at Vendipalayam and K.K. Nagar and at many places on the Erode – Chennimalai Road affected vehicle movement.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development S. Muthusamy inspected the flood affected areas and also visited the people at a relief camp at Kaliamman Thirukovil. He asked officials to provide them with basic amenities and also provide food, water and other essentials.
The district received a total of 638.8 mm rainfall as recorded at 7 a.m. on Friday.
The rainfall recorded at various places were Elanthakuttai Medu 66.20 mm, Nambiyur 64 mm, Kodumudi 62 mm, Sathyamangalam 58 mm, Perundurai 51 mm, Kodiveri 45 mm, Chennimalai 42 mm, Kavundapadi 39.20 mm, Varattupallam 36.60 mm, Erode 33 mm, Talavadi 30 mm, Modakkurichi 26 mm, Gobichettipalayam 29 mm, Ammapettai 17.80 mm, Gunderipallam 15.80 mm and Bhavani 15.60 mm.
