Tamil Nadu is facing its worst crisis in years, with heavy rains and floods having taken a heavy toll on life and property.
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Meanwhile, with the rains having reduced, rescue operations by different teams have intensified in Tamil Nadu to rescue stranded people as they are trying to take advantage of the rain-less situation. But we have built over many of these water bodies, blocking the smooth flow of water … But numerous areas were still under water, residents across the city told IANS. The districts in Tamil Nadu including Tirunelveli, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore have announced holidays for schools and colleges. By all accounts, the state capital bore the brunt.
In Rajya Sabha, he said there is a shortage of drinking water, and if needed water will be airlifted to the city.
“It is shocking to see how (Chennai) has collapsed in the last 48 hours”, said University of Madras professor Anant Raghav.
Authorities had told private companies to declare Thursday and Friday a holiday for workers due to the flooding. The hospital’s back-up power system also failed. Out team will be heading out aggressively to the areas where people are stranded, especially where waterlogging is causing major trouble.
A naval warship loaded with inflatable boats, medical supplies and diving equipment arrived in Chennai on Thursday, as Modi said he was heading to the city.
Skeletal public transport was operational since Friday morning in areas where inundation has gone down. Auto-rickshaws plied but commuters complained that they were being fleeced by drivers. “We expect to have better results today as things have improved and rains have stopped over the last night”, he said.
He spoke too soon. The interlude in rainfall resulted in a sharp decline in the discharge of waters from the Chembarapakkam, Pondi and Puzhal lakes.
Several voluntary organisations and NGOs supplied food, water bottles and blankets in flood-hit areas.
Thousands remained marooned across the state capital and its adjoining districts even as rescue operations were on war footing with the army, navy, coast guard, NDRF, state DRF and police stepping in.
The Southern Railway has announced special trains to Tirunelveli, Rameswaram and Howrah from Chennai Beach station.
At least 269 people have been killed because of flooding in Tamil Nadu state in recent days with more than 1,000 critically injured.
Dec 1, 2015: Heavy downpour started that continued intermittently till Wednesday, Dec 3. He said that the declared amount is over and above the Rs. 940 crores which was released earlier.
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Singh said he spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa as well as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minsiter N. Chandrababu Naidu and Puducherry Chief Minister A.N. Rangasamy.
