Tamil Nadu Floods: Death Toll Rises to 48, Heavy Rainfall Expected

Tamil Nadu Floods: Death toll rises to 48; the MeT predicts heavy rainfall over the next week.

Cuddalore, the worst affected district in Tmail Nadu (Courtesy: Google Maps)

Schools and colleges in Chennai will remain shut on Friday as the MeT has predicted heavy rainfall. The flood situation has already claimed the lives of 48 people in Tamil Nadu.

The MeT office forecast another spell of heavy showers in the next week, following the formation of a new low-pressure trough. The maximum number of deaths have been reported from Cuddalore.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa offered her condolences to the families of the victims who perished in flood waters and announced a sum of Rs 4 lakh to the berieved families as assistance from the Disaster Relief Fund.

“A new trough of low pressure has formed in South Andaman Sea. It is expected to develop into a low pressure in South Eastern Bay of Bengal on 14 November,” Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Chennai Director S R Ramanan told reporters.

Several parts of the state, including Chennai, are limping back to normalcy after being battered by heavy rains. A low pressure trough that intensified into a deep depression and crossed the state coast on 9 November. Cuddalore district has been the worst hit.

Jayalalithaa held a review meeting with officials to assess the situation in Cuddalore where relief and rehabilitation measures had begun in full swing.

Meanwhile, several parts of Chennai and its suburbs, including the commercial hub of Velachery, received rains overnight, inundating low-lying areas further damaging roads.

(with inputs from PTI)