More rain forecast in Tamil Nadu

The north-east monsoon, active over the region following a well-marked upper air cyclonic circulation over Arabian Sea, brought heavy rain in Tamil Nadu. The weathermen have forecast more rains in the next 48 hours.

As many as 20 people have died in the rain-related incidents. Of them, two boys drowned in a stream at Erode district; a college student in Trichy district was washed away in a river; and a couple died when a portion of a wall in their house collapsed at Cuddalore district.

"Due to an upper air cyclonic circulation over south west bay of Sri Lanka and Gulf of Mannar coast, which still persists, heavy rain continues to occur in all most all the districts of Tamil Nadu," a senior weather official told Deccan Herald.

He said rain or thundershowers would occur at most places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 48 hours.  He said as the sea conditions are still rough, fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been advised not to venture into the sea. Fishermen from coastal Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Cuddalore and Ramanathapuram suspended fishing activities since the monsoon set in last Saturday. Most of the schools in the coastal areas declared a holiday on Friday.

Damages

Gusty winds uprooted hundreds of trees and damaged banana plantation in many parts of coastal districts, especially Nagapattinam and Cuddalore. Electric poles were also damaged resulting in blackout in several parts of the state.

The Nilgiris Mountain Rail services were cancelled due to landslides at different places between Mettupallayam and Ooty on Friday morning. According to the railway officials, it would take at least four days to clear the debris on the track.

The weather bulletin said Kancheepuram district received a record nine cm rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by Chennai, which received eight cm.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam chaired a meeting at the Secretariat on Friday evening with high officials to review the flood situation. Relief and restoration works are being carried out by the government and private organisations round-the-clock. Residents in low-lying areas have been asked to shift to safer places.