Rain claims 30 lives in Tamil Nadu

The Northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu has so far claimed 30 lives, Revenue Minister I Periasamy said on Monday, even as Sunday's depression weakened into a low pressure area, bringing respite to the people.

The minister could not give details of the district-wise break-up of the deaths, but it appeared that Thanjavur, Cuddalore and Chennai districts, which bore the brunt of the rain fury, accounted for most of the deaths.

The deaths were reported from various districts after the onset of monsoon on October 22, he said, and announced that the solatium for the families of the victims has been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

He said the compensation given for the deaths of cattle was also raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 and that for partially damaged houses from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.

In all, 1,065 houses were damaged in the rains. While 195 houses were fully damaged, 870 houses were partially damaged, he said, adding all the district collectors were involved in relief works which have been expedited.

Union Highways Minister T R Baalu, who inspected a damaged bridge in Cuddalore district, told newspersons that 270 km of National Highway were damaged in the rains. It would require an estimated Rs 70 crore to repair the roads.

Meanwhile, the incessant rains, which lashed the city and several other parts of the state since October 27, abated on Monday morning as Sunday's depression, which was expected to cross the Andhra coast at Nellore on Monday evening, weakened into a well marked low pressure area.

The weather office, however, forecast isolated and heavy rains throughout the state during the next 24 hours.