Storm relents but rainfall does'nt, toll rises to 90

Chennai, Nov 28 (UNI) Even with rainfall relenting in some parts of Tamil Nadu, including Cauvery Delta areas, there seems to be no respite for residents of Chennai as the city was pounded by sharp showers for the sixth successive day today taking the toll to 90.

Though Cyclonic Storm ''Nisha'', which crossed the coast yesterday, weakened into a deep depression and later into a depression, heavy rainfall lashed the city at regular intervals throwing normal life completely out of gear.

Weather office said the depression over interior Tamil Nadu moved slightly northwestwards, weakening further and laying as a well-marked low pressure area over north interior Tamil Nadu and adjoining south interior Karnataka and Rayalseema. It was likely to weaken further.

Under its influence, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at few places, was likely over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, south interior Karnataka and Rayalseema during next 24 hours.

Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is also likely over south Tamil Nadu during the same period.

With the death of an 18-year-old girl in a wall collapse at Ponamallee Taluk in Tiruvallur District, the toll in rain-related incidents rose to 90.

As the cyclone started weakening, people of Chennai woke up to a spell of sharp showers, before the sun came out. However, their joy was short-lived as rainfall pounded in stages crippling relief works in the city and its western, southern and northern suburbs that still resembled an archipelago.

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