Though a relatively dry spell in Chennai as brought relief to the flood affected residents and rescue agencies, 18 ICU patients at the MIOT hospital in the city died on Friday morning, allegedly due to power failure and the lack of oxygen cylinders.

All 18 patients were on ventilator support when they passed away, early in the morning at MIOT hospital (Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology).

The MIOT hospital, which is located near Guindy on the banks of the Adyar river, was already flooded due to the rains, reported a leading daily.

Speaking to ANI, J Radhakrishnan, state health secretary said, "MIOT Hospital was treating 575 patients when the floods started; 75 critical patients were on ventilator." He further added that "18 patients died & seven patient were shifted to different hospitals." Radhakrishnan said the reason of death was still unclear and the investigation is underway.

The heaviest rainfall in more than a century has wreaked havoc in the state capital of Tamil Nadu, which crippled the normal life and drove thousands of people out of their inundated homes.

Though the water was receding in many parts of the city, the misery of citizens showed little let up as power remained suspended in many areas as a precautionary measure, officials said.

Safe drinking water continued to remain a luxury for many. Milk and newspaper supplies were erratic and many citizens complained that vegetables were still being sold at high rates.

Meanwhile, expressing solidarity with the people of Chennai in this hour of crisis, Union Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that his ministry and associated PSUs remain committed to providing all possible support to the people of Tamil Nadu.