State cabinet meets today to discuss the flood relief work and announce relief measures.
Twenty-eight people have lost their lives in Tamil Nadu so far as heavy rains, under the influence of a depression over the Bay of Bengal, lashed different parts of the state, throwing normal life out of gear.
The depression, centered about 50 km off the Vedaranyam coast, is likely to cross the coast this evening between Vedaranyam and Pamban, the meteorological office said. Tamil Nadu would continue to experience rains till tomorrow, they said.
Police said most of the deaths were either due to electrocution or wall collapses. Chennai city has been experiencing heavy rains from last night, from which there has been no respite.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi has instructed ministers, MPs and MLAs to involve themselves in flood relief work. In a statement, he said the state Cabinet, at its meeting here tomorrow, would discuss the flood relief work and announce relief measures.
Reports from the Cauvery Delta districts, which bore the brunt of the rains, said standing crops in most areas are under knee-deep water. Schools and colleges in several districts, including Chennai, have declared a holiday today.
A report from Rameswaram said as many as 285 houses in Mandapam and Teruku Karaiyur area were totally damaged as the flood and sea water entered them, following heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, yesterday.
The Sethu Express and Rameswaram Express trains scheduled to arrive Rameswaram today had been standing at Ramanathapuram and Mandapam. Meanwhile, the trains scheduled to leave Rameswararm early this morning and yesterday also did not leave due to heavy wind.
District Collector Kirloshkumar said all the officials had been asked to be alert as storm warning had been given and the storm cone had been hoisted last evening. Residents of fishermen colonies were moved to safer places. The revenue officials of the coastal areas have been asked to conduct patrolling in the area round-the-clock.
Sufficient quantities of sand bags have been stored in various localities to make arrangements to check flood waters entering the colonies. Ambulances have been kept ready by the health department and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
