After being battered by rains for four days, Tamil Nadu breathes a sigh of relief as normalcy returns

Chennai: Much to the relief of people of Tamil Nadu, the fury of North East monsoon has subsided with only a few districts experiencing rains and life has been gradually limping back to normal. The death toll in rain-related incidents across Tamil Nadu stands at 79. Tiruvallur district along with some areas around Madurai had experienced moderate showers even as the severely affected Kancheepuram was inching back to normalcy. In Chennai, civic authorities were pumping out water from inundated localities in south suburban Velachery, one of the worst affected, with boats being used to transport people to safer places. [caption id=“attachment_2511662” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image courtesy: AP[/caption] Boats had also been deployed at Velachery, Perumbakkam, Saidapet, Thoraipakkam and Nandambakkam to rescue people. Meanwhile, areas in Korattur in the city were still in knee-deep water and according to authorities it could take a couple of days for water to dry up fully. Suburban areas in the city were still inundated. In Kancheepuram district, the Army and Air Force were deployed since Tuesday to rescue stranded citizens as torrential rains left residents marooned. Respite from rains for the last two days enabled people to venture out to buy essential commodities. The Navy and Coast Guard had also joined rescue operations. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has already announced an allocation of Rs 500 crore towards relief and rehabilitation besides a solatium for the next of kin of the dead. According to the Met office, there could be rains in the neighbouring union territory of Puducherry besides moderate rain in some areas of Chennai on Wednesday. The state has largely been spared of any outbreak of diseases after the incessant rains following precautionary measures launched by authorities. Vegetable prices, especially in the affected areas, have skyrocketed following poor arrival of the produce from other states. Southern Railway had on Tuesday cancelled over 15 trains bound for various destinations due to water-logging on tracks. A few trains were also cancelled today. Most of the schools and colleges in Chennai and suburbs remained closed on Wednesday. PTI