TN: Heavy rains kill 55 people in 5 days

The rains continued to disrupt normal life in Tamil Nadu’s capital and several other areas of the state. More than 32 persons in Cuddalore district have been killed which the highest toll in the state in the north east monsoon rain. Thousands of people were stranded at the Chennai central station.

It highlighted that rail tracks were also submerged in various places resulting in train delays and as many as 26 flights in and out of the city were affected by the wet conditions.

Even Anna University and University of Madras affiliated colleges have postponed their examinations.

The Times of India reported that several suburban trains were cancelled and long-distance trains were delayed following the downpour.

Since last night, the city has received 14.9 cm of rainfall.

Rubber road barricades were seen floating and a few buses stopped midway due to rising of water levels on the roads. “Also, I have told the local ministers to give adequate instructions to officials concerned”, Jayalalithaa said in a statement.

Meanwhile, parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala continue to get rains from a low-pressure area, a remnant of an earlier deep depression, now lying over the Arabian Sea.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had condoled the death of the victims, a majority of whom drowned in flood waters and announced Rs four lakh each to their families as assistance from the Disaster Relief Fund. They directed the officials to carry relief measures including restoring supply of power and drinking water on “war-footing”, officials said. Cuddalore district, 180 kms from Chennai, was the worst hit. He blamed incessant rains and flash floods for the deaths.