Death toll climbs to 59 as rain piles misery on Tamil Nadu

SHOWERS IN PUDUCHERRY TODAY AS DEPRESSION LOOMS LARGE

Tamil Nadu continued to experience monsoon fury, with heavy rain pounding various parts of the southern state, as the death toll from rain-related incidents climbed to 59.

Weatherman forecast more rains for the next 24 hours, beginning 8.30am.

The India Meteorological Department said yesterday that the well-marked low pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Sri Lanka persisted and “it is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast and would concentrate into a Depression during next 24 hours.”

Anaikaracharthiram (Nagapattinam) received the maximum rainfall of 18 cm recorded till 8.30 am, the Regional Meteorological Department Director S.R. Ramanan said. Sirkali from the same district registered 17 cm, he said. Chennai received three cm of rain between 8.30 and 11.30am yesterday.

Rains are also expected Puducherry today.

The seas would be rough, Ramanan said, warning fishermen against venturing for fishing.

Meanwhile, four people died

in due to various rain-related incidents on November 13 and 14, the government said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha condoled the death of the four people, three of whom died due to drowning in Kancheepuram district while one was killed in wall collapse in Vellore. She announced Rs400,000 each to the families of the victims from the Disaster Relief Fund.

The incessant rain crippled normal life in the state capital Chennai, where most roads, residential areas and low-lying parts were inundated.