Heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, death toll mounts to 71

CHENNAI: The North-East monsoon continued to wreak havoc in Tamil Nadu with rains pounding the northern coastal districts and more being forecast for the coming days in the state, where the death toll as climbed to 71.

12 more persons have been killed in incidents of drowning and wall-collapse between November 11 and 15, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said as she also took stock of the situation at a review meeting with her cabinet colleagues and officials.

Condoling the death of the victims, she announced a relief of Rs 4 lakh each to their families. 71 people have died in rail related incidents so far.