176 dead in Tamil Nadu, more rains expected

Death toll in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu mounted to 176 today, even as the weatherman has forecast more rains in the next 24 to 48 hours. Seven more deaths were reported from across the state since yesterday, while there was a let up in rainfall in most areas of the state since last evening, including Chennai. Five persons died yesterday while two deaths were reported from the state today.

The meteorological department said rains or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep in the next 24-48 hours. For Chennai and its neighbourhood, skies would be cloudy and there may be rain or thundershowers in some areas, it said. Papanasam in Tiruneveli district received heavy rainfall of 10 CM, while Rameswaram, Cheranmahadevi and Coonoor received least rainfall of one cm each, the Met office said.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa condoled the death of seven persons and announced a compensation of Rs four lakh each to their next of kin from the disaster relief fund. The chief minister had written to the Prime Minister on November 23, pegging the flood damage at Rs 8,481 crore, and urged him to immediately release Rs 2,000 crore to sustain relief work.