Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu, Pondy
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Heavy rains pounded Tamil Nadu for the second day on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear and leading to closure of educational institutions in many districts.
Over 170 people have been killed in rain-related incidents across the state since the onset of the northeast monsoon in October, which is vigorous over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The weather office has predicted more rains during the next 24 hours beginning 8.30 am on Monday due to a well-marked low pressure over the Bay of Bengal. Chief minister M. Karunanidhi reviewed the situation with chief secretary S. Malathi and Revenue officials.
"The well-marked low pressure over Bay of Bengal is moving northwards. Under its influence heavy rains would continue to occur over coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 24 hours starting today at 8.30 am,", officials said.
They warned fishermen against venturing into the sea. Strong onshore winds with speeds reaching 45-55 kmph are likely to blow along North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts in the next 24 hours starting 8.30 am on Monday.
Thousands of acres of standing crops remained submerged across the state. Special officers appointed by the state government are on a tour of the rain-hit districts to assess the damage caused by the rain.
The officers would submit a report on the damage to crops and property, which will be discussed at an emergency meeting of the state Cabinet here on Tuesday being chaired by Mr Karunanidhi.
In Chennai, heavy rains since Sunday led to flooding of low-lying areas, making life difficult for office-goers, who had to wade through the water. Many trees were uprooted due to gusty winds.Corporation officials were working in full swing for rehabilitating people affected in the rain.
Traffic congestion was reported from different parts of the city especially in areas such as Guindy where preliminary works for the Metro rail project are underway.
Schools in Chennai and many other districts remained closed. Educational institutions in neighbouring Puducherry also remained closed for the fifth successive day.
The state government had announced a sum of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of persons killed in rain-related incidents and allocated a sum of Rs 100 crore towards relief and repairs.
The water level in the Mettur dam in Salem this morning stood at 120.05 feet against the full level of 120 feet. All the seven rivers running across different communes in Karaikal were in spate.
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