Tamil Nadu rain toll mounts to 34

The rain fury in Tamil Nadu claimed six more lives on Thursday, taking the toll in various rain-related incidents over the past three days to 34.

The weather office predicted more rains for the state during the next two days.

Two labourers near Udumalai in Coimbatore district and two at Azhagapuri in Theni district died in separate incidents of wall collapse early on Thursday.

While a person was washed away by flash floods along with his two-wheeler at Aa Mullavoyil near suburban Manali, a woman died in wall collapse at Manali Puthunagar in Tiruvallur district.

Chennai, Tiruchirapalli and Dindigul districts accounted for four deaths each, followed by Thanjavur and Tiruvannamalai three each, Villupuram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruvallur, Salem and Theni two each and Pudukkottai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Dharmapuri one each, reports said.

The government machinery had been geared up to take relief measures on a war footing in the rain-affected areas. A compensation of Rs 1 lakh each had also been announced to the families of the rain victims.

Meanwhile, the Met office said rain or thunder showers were likely to occur over many places in Tamil Nadu during the next two days under the influence of a trough of low pressure, which now extended from the Commeron area to south-west bay of Tamil nadu coast.

The delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukkottai were battered by the heavy rains, leaving 'samba' and 'thalavadi' paddy crops in several thousand acres of land submerged.

The torrential rains had thrown normal life out of gear, with several hamlets flooded by rain water.

Educational institutions across the state remained closed on Thursday following the downpour.

Rough weather condition and strong winds had also kept fishermen away from the sea.

Several reservoirs were filled to the brim following copious inflow, caused by incessant rains in catchments.

Chennai on Thursday had a respite from the rains, which battered the city on Wednesday leading to inundation of roads and traffic snarls.

Thirukovilur and Sattanur dam recorded a maximum rainfall of 21 cm each in the last 24 hours ended at 0800 hrs today. It was followed by Vriddhachalam and Kallakurichi 20 cm each.