22 die in Cuddalore district of TN due to rains, floods

Chennai: At least 22 persons died in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu due to heavy rains and floods, Cuddalore district administrators said today. Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa announced relief of Rs 4 lakh to each of the bereaved families.

Relief operations were now being conducted in several of the 24 villages severely affected by heavy rains caused by the deep depression that crossed the coast near Cuddalore on November 9, 2015.

The health department was taking steps to prevent outbreak of diseases. Food and shelter were being provided by the local administration to those affected by the floods.

The special officer appointed by the government to oversee relief in the district, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, said relief work was being undertaken on a war footing.

Over 1,000 workers were brought to Cuddalore district from other districts to help restore power and water supply, an official said.  Of the 5,063 water tanks which had been affected in the residential areas of villages, 2,162 water tanks had been sight, the official said.

Over 16,000 food packets had been distributed in the affected villages, he said. Another 4,000 food packets were distributed in Cuddalore and Chidambaram municipality areas.

Commercial Taxes and Registration minister M C Sampath went round the affected areas and reviewed the relief operations.