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Woman, son killed in ceiling collapse

PUDUKOTTAI: Heavy downpour experienced in various parts of Pudukottai district during the late hours of Tuesday claimed the lives of a woman and her five-year-old son at Tirumayam near here.

Munisamy (50) and his wife M. Rajalakshmi, along with their three children, were fast asleep in their house on Market Street in Tirumayam, when a portion of the ceiling suddenly collapsed.

The entire family was caught under the debris. While Rajalakshmi and her son M. Sathappan (5) were crushed to death, Munisamy and his daughters M. Nithyakalyani (15) and M. Abirami (12) suffered serious injuries.

The neighbours, on hearing their cries, rescued them. They were admitted to the Government Headquarters Hospital here.

The Tirumayam police have registered a case and are investigating. The Tirumayam Congress MLA, R. M. Subburam, visited the injured.

The sudden rainfall threw normal life out of gear for more than two hours.

Power supply was disrupted in many areas.

For the 24 hours that ended at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, Pudukottai experienced a maximum of 80 mm of rain, followed by Alankudi 76 mm; Aranthangi 66 mm; Kaaraiyur 60.8 mm; Keeranur 54 mm; Avudaiyarkovil 51 mm; Kudumiyanmalai 47.4 mm; Tirumayam 43 mm; Manamelkudi 45 mm; Mazhaiyur and Viralimalai 40 mm each; Udaiyalipatti 37 mm; Meemisal 36.2 mm; Ayinkudi 30.4 mm; Kattumavadi 26 mm; Arimalam, Nakudi and Keezhanilai 20 mm each.

Heavy showers lashed Tiruchi city and surroundings.

The rainfall inundated many low-lying areas.

For the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m., Airport experienced a maximum of 156 mm of rain, followed by Golden Rock 136; Junction 72.2; Town 60.4; Manapparai 49.6; Kovilpatti 45.4; Navalur Kuttapattu 37.4; and Ponnaniyar Dam 35.2.

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