The rain respite was momentary in flood-hit Chennai. After a lull of 12 hours, Chennai has been hit by rains again.Fresh spell of rain has disrupted normal life in Puducherry and Kanchipuram.
Withdrawing its earlier statement, the Met Department on Friday said the flood-hit state will witness less rain for next 2-3 days.
Meanwhile, 5,000 cusecs of water has been released from Chembarambakkam Lake.
At least 18 people died in one of the hospitals in the flood-hit Chennai on Friday, reports said. MIOT Hospital in the city was treating some 575 patients. After the tragic incident, 57 patients have been shifted to different hospitals. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said the reason behind death is not known yet and an investigation has been ordered into the incident.
Though water level is slowly receding in many parts of and there is no rainfall in the city and adjoining areas since morning, the flood situation continues to remain grim in the city and several parts of Tamil Nadu. The city still remains virtually cut off from the rest of the country with air, rail and road transport services.
Army chief General Dalbir Singh has reached Chennai to personally oversee relief and rescue operations.
According to reports, Chennai faces acute shortage of necessary items while the price of food grains sky rocket due to shortage. Residents have complained about lack of medicines, milk, potable water and vegetables.
