Relief & rescue ops in full swing; Death toll hits 80

AMN /

Relief and rescue operation continue even as northeast monsoon rain subsided in Tamil Nadu.  Relief teams including army and navy have rescued more than 15,000 persons in Chennai and Kanchipuram. The death toll in rain related incidents in the state has crossed 80. Tamil Nadu government has given 4 lakh rupees each to the family of those killed in rain related incidents. Met office has said that well marked low pressure area lies over west central and south coastal Andhra and north Tamil Nadu coast. Isolated heavy rain has been forecast in Tiruvallur district of north Tamil Nadu.

The above normal north east monsoon rain in Tamil Nadu has left people marooned in Chennai and Kanchipuram. In Kanchipuram district flood alert has been issued in low lying areas near Kotturpuram, as Adyar river is in spate due to excess water released from Chembarampakkam lake. More than 10,000 people marooned in rain water have been rescued in the district alone. More than 35,000 persons in 116 relief camps are being provided food and water. The National disaster relief teams were deployed for rescue and relief measures.

In Krishnagiri district rain water has seeped in fields resulting in damage of tomato crops in 2000 acres. In Tiruchirapalli district, more than 45 lakes have been fully filled by rain water. District collector Dr K S Pazhanichamy inspected the lake in Tiruverumbur and gave instructions to strengthen banks of the lake. Fishermen in Nagapattinam Rameswaram have not ventured out into the sea for the fourth consecutive day as sea is rough.

In Andhra Pradesh, rain or thundershowers are forecast in the next 24 hours under the influence of the well marked low pressure area over west central and adjoining southern coast of the State. The Met office has warned the fishermen not to venture into the sea as it would be rough with winds blowing along and off the coast with 40-50 kmph.

“Rescue and relief works are in full swing in the rain devastated districts of Chittoor, Nellore and Kadapa. Four NDRF teams were deployed to Nellore, two to Chittoor and two to Kadapa to carry out rescue operations. Over 15 thousand people were shifted to safer places and they were being provided food and water. 6 people were killed and two were missing in the rain related incidents in the State. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased families.

A 24X7 control room with the phone of 040-23456005 was set up to provide needed information and help. A compensation of Rs.50 thousand would be paid to each of the damaged permanent house and 25,000 rupees to each hut. As per primary estimation, crop in over 1700 hectors got damaged due to incessant rains. As many as 334 tanks were breached in the districts and 2,700 km road got damaged while 2,700 electric polls got uprooted.