Rain claims 6 more lives in TN, toll rises to 80

The low pressure area in Indian Ocean (in Comerin area) brought rains back after a brief respite, lashing several parts of the state in the last two days. Fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea. In Dharmapuri district, three children died in a house collapse. One person was electrocuted and another washed away in Kanyakumari District while one died due to lightning strike in Tiruvallur district since yesterday, officials said.

Relief work at the rain-hit Nilgiris District, where the monsoon has claimed 40 lives and triggered landslides to cut-off several areas, has been hampered due to fresh rains. District officials declared holiday for schools and colleges till Tuesday.

The Met office said the low pressure area has now extended up to West Central Bay across Gulf of Mannar and South West Bay of Tamil Nadu and isolated heavy to very heavy rain was likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala in the next 48 hours. Isolated heavy rain is also likely to occur over Lakshadweep in the same period.

Gingee (Villupuram District) recorded the maximum of 18 cm rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am today. Chennai recorded six cm of rainfall during the same period, Met office said.