Storm crosses coast, rains pound TN

Chennai, Nov 27: Cyclonic storm 'Nisha' crossed the coast near Karaikal, about 300 km south of Chennai and 135 km from Puducherry on the East Coast, at around 0600 hrs today bringing in its wake heavy rainfall to the entire state and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

'Nisha' had remained practically stationary over Southwest Bay of Bengal and lay centred close to Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu at 0230 hrs this morning.

Heavy rainfall had been lashing Tamil Nadu with Adiramapattinam, a town panchayat in Thanjavur District, receiving the highest amount of 29 cm for the 24-hour period ending 0830 hrs this morning, Met officials said.

Meanwhile, officials released water from the Chembarambakkam Reservoir,one of the prime drinking water sources for the city, as the levels swelled close to the full capacity of 24 feet. Following instructions from Kancheepuram Collector Santosh K Misra, the officials released 1,000 cusecs from the reservoir into the Adyar River as level touched 22 feet.

This led to flooding of Kunrathur, Tiruneermalai,Anakaputhur, Nandambakkam, Adyar and Kotturpuram Areas.

Police and Revenue Officials evacuated people living on the banks of the Adyar River to community halls and schools.

In a related incident, a portion of compound wall of a company located in Nandambakkam collapsed on the adjoining orphanage. Fire Services personnel rushed to the spot and pumped out the water.

Meanwhile, people living in the low-lying areas of Tambaram, Krishna Nagar and Mudichur were being rescued by the Fire Services Personnel using boats.

Official sources said if the rainfall persisted more water would be released from the reservoir.

Another report said 10,000 food packets, equal number of bread packets, water bottles and packets were being airlifted to Cuddalore and Chidambaram Districts for distribution to those affected by the heavy rainfall.

A report from Nagapattinam District this morning said three women and a child were killed in when the wall of a hut in which they were sleeping collapsed. Police said J Rajpath Beevi (55), S Rasiya (56), S Noornisha (18) and Fathima (18 months) were killed when the wall of their hut collapsed in Sankaranpandal Village of the district.

UN