At least five people were killed while 10,500 others shifted to relief centres after heavy rains lashed in Tamil Nadu since Thursday, the state Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said.
The minister said that 10,500 people are accommodated in relief centres in 12 districts and this includes 620 people accommodated in five relief centres of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).
The deaths were reported in Ariyalur, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Tiruvannamalai, while 152 heads of cattle also died and a total of 681 huts and 120 concrete houses were damaged.
Ramachandran said that major reservoirs continued to receive good inflow with incessant rainfall being reported in catchment areas.
He said that Revenue and Disaster Management Departments are geared up to face any eventuality and added that police and fire and rescue services are also being given intimation on the possibilities of heavy rains in the coming days.
Red alert issued for several districts
The rains and the subsequent inundation have put normal lives out of gear in the city. The weather department has warned of more rains issuing a red alert for several districts including Chennai, one of the smart cities.
More than 20 districts in Tamil Nadu experienced continuous rains.
The government has declared a holiday for educational institutions in 23 districts on Saturday.
Several localities in Chennai went under water and subways have been closed for traffic due to flooding. Traffic has been diverted in several places due to waterlogged roads.
With increased water inflow, the shutters of the Chembarambakkam lake were raised to let out surplus water. In the districts, several acres of paddy fields went under water damaging the crops.
Meanwhile, the weather department has predicted heavy rains for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is expected to meet Governor R.N. Ravi to brief him about the measures to mitigate the problems faced by the people due to heavy rains.
(with IANS inputs)
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