8 killed in monsoon rains in TN, J Jayalalithaa announces solatium

Eight persons were killed in heavy Northeast monsoon rains across Tamil Nadu, following which Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today announced a Rs 2 lakh solatium to each of their families.

The Chief Minister condoled their death and announced a compensation to the eight persons from Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchirapalli, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Pudukottai, Namakkal and Kanchipuram districts who were killed in rains yesterday, an official release said.

The release also announced a Rs 2 lakh solatium to Grade II constable R Karthik of Armed Police XIV battalion in Ramanathapuram district who was electrocuted while on duty on November 25.

Meanwhile in Rameswaram, State Textiles Minister S Sundarajan and Ramanathapuram District Collector Arunroy visited the flood-affected areas in the island to assess the situation following 152.2mm of rain last night.