Rains lash TN again; 6 more deaths take toll to 80

Six more people died in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu, taking the toll from heavy northeast monsoon showers to 80 since its onset two weeks ago.

Weathermen on Sunday have forecast more rains in the state in the next two days.

After a brief respite, several parts of the state were again lashed by heavy rains in the last two days due to the influence of low pressure area in the Indian Ocean (in Comerin area) and fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea.

In Dharmapuri district, three children died in a house collapse.

One person was electrocuted and another washed away in Kanyakumari district, while one died due to lightning strike in Tiruvallur district since Saturday, officials said.

The hilly Nilgiris district, where over 40 people have died and many areas cut off due to landslides, was lashed by rains affecting relief work.

District officials declared holiday for schools and colleges till Tuesday.

The Met office said the low-pressure area has now extended up to West Central Bay across Gulf of Mannar and South West Bay of Tamil Nadu and isolated heavy to very heavy rain was likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala in the next 48 hours.

Isolated heavy rain is also likely to occur over Lakshadweep in the same period.

Gingee (Villupuram district) recorded the maximum of 18 cm rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am o Sunday.

Chennai recorded 6 cm of rainfall during the same period.

Heavy downpour since last night threw life out of gear in Chennai and many areas were under sheets of water.

Chennai Corporation Mayor M Subramanium inspected rain affected areas and instructed the officials to expedite the relief measures.

Fishermen were warned not to venture into sea as strong winds from northeasterly direction speed occasionally reaching 45-55 kmph likely along off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours.

As the water level in the Vaigai Dam near Madurai reached the maximum of 71 feet, the sluice gates have been opened to let out the excess water. The District administration had on November 12 issued the second flood warning to people living along the banks of the rivers in five districts.

A report from Udhagamandalam said the rains, which resumed last afternoon after a brief respite, caused fresh landslips on Ooty-Mettupalayam, Ooty-Kothagiri roads.

Officials put the loss due to the heavy rains last week that damaged crops in 600 hectares and caused 900 landslides at Rs 300 crore.

Southern Railway has assessed a loss of Rs 12 crore due to damage to the tracks of the world heritage Nilgiris Mountain Railways between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam.

Officials said so far Rs 36 lakh had been disbursed as compensation to the families of those who died in rain-related incidents and Rs 27 lakh to those whose houses were damaged.

However, groups of residents in different parts complained they were not receiving the relief properly.

State opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham is organising a demonstration on Monday seeking Rs 5 lakh as compensation for families of the dead.