Heavy rain again lashes various parts of Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Heavy rain lashed various parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for many hours since yesterday evening. The Meteorology Department observations say, the total rainfall so far this North East Monsoon in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has already crossed the average precipitation for the whole season that extends up to December end. Traffic was hugely affected in several arterial roads in Chennai for many hours till mid-night due to heavy rain in the evening.

The Centre has given a financial package of around 940 crore rupees to the rain-ravaged state yesterday to meet the needs for immediate relief measures, on the same day when the state government submitted its report on damages seeking financial assistance. A central team is being deputed to the state to assess the damages. More rain in certain pockets in the state has been forecast by the weather



officials.

In Puducherry, heavy rain lashed the whole night leaving many low lying areas submerged in water. Water level in the River Sankarabharani is rising as water is being released from Veedur Dam in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu. All the four bed dams on its course in Puducherry are filled up. Around 1000 people, living on the banks of the Sankarabharani river has moved to relief camps set up by the administration.

Preliminary reports indicate that 262 houses were damaged in the rain that ravaged Puducherry for the last two weeks. Two people have lost their lives. Around 2600 hectres of agricultural crops were lost due to heavy rainfall. Chief Minister N Rangasamy said the Union Territory will seek financial assistance from the Centre for flood relief.