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13 killed in rain as depression crosses TN coast

Leaves trail of destruction; hundreds rendered homeless
Last Updated 17 November 2013, 19:34 IST

At least 13 people died and many injured in rain-related incidents as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal crossed the Tamil Nadu coast on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction and rendering hundreds homeless.

The main reasons for the casualties were wall collapse, lightning and electrocution, which occurred during the heavy rain that began on Saturday evening.

Six construction workers were killed and seven others injured when a portion of a wall collapsed on their huts following heavy downpour on Saturday night at Chinnapullyur village near Gummudipoondi in Tiruvallur district.

In another incident, three of a family, including a six-year old boy, died of electrocution at Annaikudi taluk in Tanjavur district on Saturday. Three others, including a woman, were killed after lightning struck them when they were taking shelter near a tree in Villupuram district on Sunday morning. On Saturday night, a 20-year-old man died on the spot when he accidentally touched a live wire in Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district.

Heavy rain coupled with 60-km-force gales threw life out of gear in many parts of the state. Trees were uprooted and power transmission lines were broken as the depression crossed Nagapattinam district. Chennai, too, witnessed strong winds of 45-55 km.

Gusty winds ravaged banana plantations in Nagapattinam district. Electric poles were damaged in Sirkazhi, prompting authorities to suspend power supply in most parts of the district as a precautionary measure.

At Vellapallam village near Tarangambadi, a building collapsed due to strong winds. In addition, More than 200 houses were damaged due to heavy rain.

The Met department has predicted that the state, especially the coastal districts, would receive more downpour in the next 24 hours.

Hundreds of villages, especially in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, remained submerged while road and rail routes were affected as rain fury continued on Sunday.

Mayiladuthurai taluk in Nagapattinam district recorded the maximum of  22 cm rain during the last 24 hours followed by Tirchy district, which registered 14 cm rain.  

Normal life was disrupted in Chennai as heavy rains lashed the city. 

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(Published 17 November 2013, 19:34 IST)

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