Water enters 200 houses, over 50 vehicles washed away

UDHAGAMANDALAM: At least six areas in Coonoor, some 18 km from here, were marooned even as about 50 vehicles were washed away due to river water inundating some parts following heavy rains lashing the hill station for the last 36 hours ending 8.30 AM today.

The unseasonal rains caught the public and the district administration unawares.Garbage and trees that got uprooted in the heavy wind choked three canals.With the Coonoor River in spate, the water started entering houses.

About 25 two-wheelers, 10 autorickshaws and 10 cars, parked outside houses in Krishnapuram, MGR nagar, O Pattarai, Trent Hill, Alwarpet and nearby areas were washed away and water entered about 200 houses, from where utensils and other household articles floated outside.

District Collector P Shankar with senior officials inspected he marooned areas and asked rescue teams--police, fire and rescue personnel and locals, to assist the public to tide over the crisis.

Inmates of houses were evacuated in the early hours and were taken to safe shelters, officials said.

Meanwhile, efforts were on to trace the vehicles which were washed away.Some autorickshaws and cars were found at a distance of 500 metres from where they were parked, they said.