Army, Navy and the Air Force today came to the rescue of thousands of people, including hospital patients, severely hit by heavy rains in Chennai that have left several parts of the city submerged. “The flight evacuated 120 stranded passengers”, an Air India spokesperson said. Food and water is being provided to those stranded.
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As the weather reports suggest that the coming 4 days will bring in more rain, the people of Chennai are being asked to be alert.
On Wednesday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had said 34 aircraft of various airlines were grounded at the Chennai airport.
“Chennai is stinking and it is shocking to see how it has collapsed in the last 48 hours”, said Anant Raghav, 56, a professor at the University of Madras.
“Chennai Aerodrome has been closed up to 12 noon of the December 6, 2015”. Flight operations have been indefinitely suspended at the airport, trains have been cancelled.
The volume of water prompted government officials to begin releasing 20,000 cubic feet of water per second from swollen Chembarambakkam Reservoir west of Chennai.
“Unfortunately, the water level is still rising and there is no way to divert the water. While demand has risen considerably, capacity is not available to handle them”, the executive said.
Jayalalithaa told Modi that the state machinery was geared up to tackle the challenges. “A bridge near Saidapet area is completely overrun with water, cutting off areas and isolating people”, a pilot, who performed a relief-cum-recce operation, said.
Around 1,500 passengers, who were stranded at the airport, were evacuated.
“Jet Airways guests with confirmed tickets to and from Chennai between December 1 and 8, 2015 will be allowed full refund or complimentary change of booking to alternative dates, depending on seat availability”, it said.
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SriLankan Airlines has cancelled fourteen more flights between Colombo and Chennai following the extension of the Chennai International Airport closure.
