Friday, April 8 2005 15:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The heavy rains that lashed Tamil Nadu over the past few days have claimed 23 lives, with Namakkal district alone accounting for eight deaths yesterday (Apr 7, 2005).

Eight persons were washed away in flash floods in the district yesterday.

The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, condoling the deaths in Namakkal district, today (Apr 8, 2005) announced a solatium of Rs 50, 000 to each of the families of the victims.

She also announced the solatium to the families of two persons, who were also washed away in floods in Tiruchirapalli district yesterday and to one family each in Kanyakumari and the Nilgiris districts, where the rains claimed two lives.

The State has been receiving heavy rain since April 3.