More than 30 people have died because of incessant rains over the past three days in southern Tamil Nadu and Chennai. Officials said most of the deaths were caused by wall collapses, floods, lightning and electrocution.
The deaths have taken the toll since October to 181, an official in the police control room said on Monday. Thousands of people have left their homes for relief camps in schools and colleges in the worst-hit districts of Nagapattinam and Cuddalore.
Officials said standing crops on more than 58,000 hectares have been spoilt and the damage to buildings, bridges and roads is to the tune of Rs 800 crore.
The heavy rain have been caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal that is now weakening. Though rain here at this time of the year are normal, the amount of rainfall is not. This time the state has received 50 per cent more rains than normal. The northeast monsoon lasts here till the end of December.
BS Ramanan, director of the Regional Cyclone Warning Centre, said, “Tamil Nadu has received more than its share of rainfall so far this year. The last time the state received unusual amounts of rain was seven years ago, when it got 79 per cent more than normal rains. This spell will ease in a day or two.”
{{/usCountry}}BS Ramanan, director of the Regional Cyclone Warning Centre, said, “Tamil Nadu has received more than its share of rainfall so far this year. The last time the state received unusual amounts of rain was seven years ago, when it got 79 per cent more than normal rains. This spell will ease in a day or two.”
{{/usCountry}}Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi sent senior government officials for a spot survey of the affected districts. The officials will present their report on Tuesday. The state cabinet will discuss the report and take action accordingly.