Sunday, November 6 2005 10:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Tragedy struck the rain-battered Metropolis early this morning (Nov 06, 2005) when six women were killed and 10 injured in a stampede at a relief distribution centre in Vysarpadi, police said.

The incident occurred when nearly 300 people gathered at around 4.30 AM in front of the centre, where the Tamil Nadu government's doles of Rs 2,000, 10 kgs of rice, dhotis and sarees were to be distributed to the flood affected persons.

As soon as the centre opened for distribution, there was jostling and a rush to get the doles and in the ensuing stampede six were killed and 10 injured.

The injured were admitted to a government hospital, police said.

The distribution centre has been temporarily closed, though two other such centres in the city were functioning normally.

Meanwhile, rains, continously pouring since late last night, flooded many low-lying areas of the city disrupting normal life and affecting traffic.

The local weather office said with the low presure area over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lankan coast persisting for the second day, widespread rains were forecast for the next 24-hours beginning from 0830 AM this morning, over most parts of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

The city recorded 9.1 cms of rainfall over the last 24 hours, while suburban Meenambakkam recorded 10.7 cms of rainfall, the weather office said.