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49 killed in TN downpour

The torrential rain that battered Madras and other parts of Tamil Nadu since October 1, has claimed 49 lives including that of ten women and 19 children, revenue minister Nanjil K Manoharan said today.

Manoharan, who reviewed with officials the devastation caused by rain and the progress of relief works being undertaken, in a statement in Madras said the deaths were mostly due to wall collapses and drowning.

While the families of 15 victims have been given a compensation of Rs 2,25,000, the families of other victims were being provided compensation, he said.

The north-east monsoon, under the influence of a couple of low pressure areas, has destroyed standing crops in 286 hectares and partly damaged crops in 35.9 hectares. Besides this, crops in 8,831 hectares were submerged and the extent of damage could be ascertained only after the water receded, he said.

Meanwhile, as instructed by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, the official machinery had been geared to speed up the relief work in the affected areas, he added.

Manoharan said the government had received reports that paddy crops in Thanjavur, Cuddalore and Kanyakumari districts were submerged in water but had not suffered damage.

District collectors would submit a detailed report on the damage and the relief works undertaken in their respective districts to the chief minister during the collectors' conference scheduled for November 14, he said.

The extent of damage was minimal following the precautionary measures taken by the government before the onset of the north-east monsoon.

Though the weather office had said the trough of low pressure has weakened, officials concerned have been asked to continuously monitor the situation to meet any eventuality and provide relief to the needy without any delay.

Officials were taking steps on a war footing for provision of relief to the affected families, the minister said and appealed to voluntary agencies to supplement the government's efforts.

UNI

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