Heavy rains continue to pound Tamil Nadu, life thrown out of gear

“Due to the floods 27 persons have lost their lives in Cuddalore District”, Jayalalithaa said in a statement here today. “Rural Development Director Baskaran, Municipal Administration Managing Director Prakash, TWAD Board MD Vijayarajkumar, TNEB Chairman M Saikumar, Industries Department Additional Secretary MS Shanmugam, Animal Husbandry Director Abraham and Health Department Director Kulandaiswamy have been camping in Cuddalore district to oversee and expedite relief works”, she said.

Heavy rain brought life to a grinding halt across Tamil Nadu on Friday as the death toll increased to 55 while relief and rehabilitation measures were taken up in full swing. On November 8 and 9 alone, it was 266 mm rain.

Heavy rain across Tamil Nadu reportedly killed at least 48 following which government has announced holidays for schools and colleges in seven districts of the state.

Earlier in the day, Jayalalithaa held a meeting with top officials to review the overall situation.

Mr. Karunanihi said various parts of the state including Chennai had been affected due to the incessant rains even as crops had been damaged in many parts. So far, the state has witnessed 31 deaths due to rain related incidents.

He also urged his partymen to work under the leadership of respective district secretaries to do their mite to the affected people and expressed his sympathies with the families of those killed in rain-related incidents.

The state government, meanwhile, is trying to restore electricity supply to villages in Cuddalore district through diesel-run generators as power supply was disrupted by heavy rain.

According to Jayalalithaa, Cuddalore district – against a normal rainfall of 697 mm during the northeast monsoon between October-December – received 500 mm rain till date this year resulting in heavy floods. With a view to preventing diseases, 37 mobile medical camps were functioning.