The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Weekend rains claim six lives

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Monday, Nov 09, 2009
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Weekend rains claim six lives

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister convenes second review meeting

— Photo : DIPR

Official Assessment: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi chairing a flood review meeting with officials at the Secretariat on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Heavy rains continued to lash Tamil Nadu over the weekend, claiming six lives, damaging houses and breaching water bodies, causing substantial crop losses in agrarian belts.

Three deaths were reported in Cuddalore and one each in Cumbam, Sivakasi and Ramanathapuram, taking the toll to at least 19 since October 27.

Meteorology Department forecasts hint at a decrease in rains following the northward movement of a considerably weakened low pressure area from its position over Comerine near Kanyakumari. However, rain or thundershowers were likely to occur till Tuesday in many places across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

In Chennai, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi convened a second review meeting in as many days at the Secretariat with officials to assess the impact of the monsoon. Water levels are rising at the major reservoirs in the State. Heavy rains in the catchments adjoining Mettur Dam have resulted in an influx of nearly 2,500 cusecs into the Veeranam Tank. Officials are calibrating the level in the tank at around 43.9 ft by releasing water through sluice gates.

According to a Theni report, the level at the Periyar Dam rose by eight feet to touch 128.30 ft while inflows into the Vaigai Dam increased four-fold over the last 24 hours to a peak of 30,000 cusecs to raise the water level to 61.30 ft. In many places, the district administration has responded with various measures that include relief operations, establishing round-the-clock control room and putting emergency evacuation and rescue teams on standby.

The wall of a canal conduit to Moolathara Dam in Palakkad district in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border region was breached following heavy inflows. As a result, areas adjoining the dam have been inundated.

In Cuddalore, it is estimated that almost 15,000 ha of samba crops stood at risk of ruin. In Chennai, vast tracts have been waterlogged. The Chennai Corporation launched distribution of food packets and chlorine tablets to people living in low-lying areas.

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