Sonia distressed by devastation caused by Tamil Nadu rain

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday expressed her deep distress at the devastation caused by heavy rains in Tamil Nadu.

While the BJP formed a three-member panel to visit the flood-hit areas in the state where the toll from rain-related incidents in the past one week climbed to 70.

"I have been deeply distressed to learn of the devastation caused by heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the districts of Chennai, Cuddalore, Vizhupuram, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Nilgiri," the Congress president said.

She said the deluge has caused tragic loss of lives, devastated habitations, destroyed crops and disrupted transport and communications.

Gandhi urged state and central governments to spare no effort in bringing food, shelter and other relief to the affected people of Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah formed a three-member committee headed by union minister Nirmala Sitharaman to visit flood-affected areas of Tamil Nadu.

The delegation also includes union minister Pon Radhakrishnan and party MP Gopal Chinayya Shetty.

The Indian Air Force on Monday carried out rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Tamil Nadu and rescued 22 people, an official said.