Incessant rains claim 59 lives, depression stationary

Chennai, Nov 19 (UNI) Moderate to heavy rains under the influence of the north-east monsoon continued to lash many parts of Tamil Nadu for the 12th day today as the depression in the Bay of Bengal remained stationary.

According to an official press release, so far, the rains have claimed 59 lives and damaged 2252 houses.

Official sources told UNI that Nagapattinam was the worst affected where seven persons have been killed and property worth Rs 12 crore damaged.

However, the latest figure of casualties and damages would be known only after the reports from the affected districts is submitted to the state government, the sources said.

The Met office has forecast more rains all over the state and the union territory of Puducherry for the next two days, although the severity would be less in Chennai city.

In the city, the incessant rains, have badly damaged the roads and have thrown normal life out of gear.

But the rains are filling up tanks supplying water to the city with many of them almost reaching their full level. The storage would last two more years.

However, according to the sources, several acres of paddy, both Kuruvai and samba, were submerged in the Cauveri delta area due to the continuous rains.

UNI RV VV PB HT1930