64 killed in rain-related incidents in TN

Chennai, Nov 26 (UNI) In all 64 people have been killed in rain- related incidents in Tamil Nadu, since the onset of Northeast Monsoon on October 15, the Tamil Nadu government said today.

Local Administration Minister M K Stalin, after a high level meeting to review the situation following heavy rains in the state, said in a statement that there were widespread rains in all the districts between October 15 and November 26.

The monsoon has so far claimed 64 lives and caused death of 121 cattle, besides damaging 3,089 huts.

Of the 64 killed, families of 42 have been given compensation.

All those who had lost their huts have been compensated.

There was only normal rains during the monsoon.

Meanwhile, following a depression on November 17 in the Bay of Bengal, several districts, including the coastal districts, received widrespread rains from November 19.

Till date, the rains have claimed 22 lives. Forty eight cattle were killed and about 700 huts either fully or partially damaged.

Under the Calamity Relief Fund, families of those killed in rains were given an assistance of Rs one lakh. The state government has so far released Rs 23.34 crore for relief.

District Collectors have been asked to provide immediate relief to the people in rain-affected areas and take precautionary measures.

Reports from various District Collectors said 64,500 people were affected in rains and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated to safer places.

In Delta districts, paddy crops in 50,000 hectares of land were submerged in water but the extent of damage could be assessed only after the rain waters receded.

Almost all the dams in the state were receiving good inflows.

Discharge of water from Mettur dam has been stopped, following heavy downpour.

Mr Stalin said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has appointed Senior IAS officials to oversee the relief operations in the state.

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