Rain claims 35 lives in Tamil Nadu: Tripathy

Chennai, Oct 29 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L K Tripathy today said 35 people had died in rain-related incidents since the onset of North-East Monsoon in the state.

Addressing a press conference here at the Secretariat, he said Chennai and Nagapattinam districts were worst hit by the unprecedented rains and relief works were being carried out in full swing.

In Nagapattinam, 66 fishing boats had ventured into the sea on October 26 before the issuance of cyclone warning and 64 had safely returned to the shores. However, six fishermen were reported to be missing, he said.

Mr Tripathy said Chennai received an unprecedented rainfall of 19 cm on a single day yesterday, inundating several low-lying areas.

However, due to desilting of canals, storm water was draining fast, he added.

He said 65,000 people in Chennai and 5,500 in Nagapattinam district had been evacuated from low-lying areas and lodged in relief centres.

Employees of all Government departments had been involved in flood relief measures, the official said.

Earlier, Mr Tripathy held a review meeting with higher officials on the flood situation in the state.

Eds: Pls pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI AKN AJ VD VC1832