7 drown in Tamil Nadu river; CM announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh

Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 5 : As many as 4 adults and 3 minor girls drowned at a check dam on the Gadilam river in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore on Sunday.
According to the Nellikuppam police in Cuddalore, the deceased had gone for a bath in the river water when the incident took place.
"Deeply saddened by the tragic incident," said Chief Minister MK Stalin while announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased from the General Relief Fund.
In a press statement by the Chief Minister, Stalin appealed to the administration for more careful monitoring of children bathing in water bodies. "The safety of children and young people bathing in rivers and pools must be ensured altogether," the statement read.
He also urged the local bodies to put up warning and notice boards to inform people about the river areas with greater depths.
"Local authorities and the police should educate the people living in their respective areas about the dangers of water bodies, especially children and adolescents, and provide them with the first aid training in case of any casualties and explain the safe use of water bodies," he added.