10 houses washed away as penstock bursts

Idukki, Sep 17 (UNI) As many as ten houses were washed away when a penstock conduit pipe, carrying water from Ponmudi dam to Panniyar power station, burst at Vellathuval near here today.

Police said the pipe broke open at 1645 hrs and efforts were on to evacuate people to safer places.

The situation was brought under control as the shutters of broken pipe were closed, the police added.

UNI