Chennai: The toll due to heavy rains in
Tamil Nadu since the onset of north-east monsoon last month
has risen to 91, even as the state is likely to receive more
rains in the next two days with a new low pressure area
forming over the Bay of Bengal.
"A trough of low pressure lies over Bay of Bengal, which
is expected to move towards westerly direction. Under this
influence rain or thundershowers is expected to occur over
coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 48
hours starting 8.30 AM today," Met department officials said.
Moderate to rather heavy rain would occur at many places
over all the districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the
same period, they said.
A police headquarters’ release said 91 people died in
rain related incidents in the state, since the commencement of
the monsoon with Villupuram district accounting for maximum of
18 fatalities, followed by Cuddalore (14) and Erode (7).
It said six people each died in Tiruvallur, Vellore and
Ramanathapuram districts while Chennai, Krishnagiri, Madurai
city, Madurai rural reported four deaths each.
Kanyakumari, Kanchipuram, Tiruvanamalai, Namakkal,
Trichirappalli and Ariyalur districts recorded two deaths each
while Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Dindugul, Theni, Tirunelveli and
Tuticorin reported one death each.
Weather office said Chinnakallar in Coimbatore district
recorded a maximum amount of rainfall of 15 cm followed
Maniyatchi (Tuticorin) 14 cm in the past 24 hours.
Reports received here said the continuous rains had also
damaged crops in several districts.
Traffic between Bodinayakanur in Theni district and
Munnar, a tourist spot in Kerala, was severely affected for
the second day following a landslip.
Reports from Dindigul district said landslides occurred
in more than 30 places along the Ghant road which connects the
hill resort town of Kodaikanal, affecting traffic. District
authorities have launched operations to clear the road.
Normal life was affected in several parts of Chennai
following heavy rains this morning with office goers forced
wade through sheets of water at several places.
Weather in Chennai would be generally cloudy with a few
spells of rain or thundershowers. Minimum temperature would be
around 24 degree Celsius.
An official release said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had
asked concerned ministers and officials to instruct respective
district collectors to undertake immediate rehabilitation
measures in the rain affected areas.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 18:13