Non-stop torrential rains have been pounding several parts of Chennai and north Tamil Nadu overnight triggering a deluge completely disrupting normal life.
Airport director Deepak Shastri said that all operations at the Chennai airport have been stopped for rest of the day and all flights stand cancelled. About 30 people have so far been rescued by the Army in Gudvancheri and Urapakkam while 15 were saved from a stranded bus in Manapakkam.
According to NDRF DG OP Singh, their teams from Odisha and Bihar were not able to land in Chennai due to waterlogging at the airport.
Several suburban train services in Chennai were crippled, while the Tiruvallur-Chennai suburban trains and Gummidipoondi -Chennai suburban trains were running behind schedule. Trains out of Chennai too were delayed inordinately.
The government issued a flood alert to people living on the banks of river Adyar in Chennai, even as several lakes and tanks overflowed in the city and the neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. Two columns of army’s Garrison Infantry Battalion were pressed into service in Tambaram and Oorapakkam after the Tamil Nadu government sought military assistance. Navy personnel were deployed in Sadiapet area of Chennai to rescue people marooned in low-lying areas.
Cuddalore, where the maximum number of people died during the last spell of rain, continued to receive the maximum rainfall, with 16 cm as recorded at 8.30am on Tuesday, followed by Puducherry with 15 cm.
The Adyar river was facing a flood threat as water from the Chembarapakkam lake was let out. Authorities issued a threat warning to those living on either side of the river. In Saidapet area along the river, 2,000 huts were submerged.
As the death toll in rain-related incidents touched 188, Jayalalithaaa reviewed the situation and deputed ministers to inspect the affected regions. She announced that police, fire and rescue, National and State Disaster Forces and Coast Guard have been kept ready for need-based evacuation of people from flood-hit regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Jayalalithaa and assured full support from the Centre. “Spoke to Jayalalithaa ji on the flood situation in parts of Tamil Nadu. Assured all possible support & cooperation in this unfortunate hour,” he tweeted.
The Prime Minister had earlier okayed the release of financial assistance of nearly Rs 940 crore after the last spell of rain had brought the state to a standstill.
Meanwhile, Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy has sought immediate interim financial assistance of Rs 100 crore from the Centre for relief work.
Tamil Nadu government has set up three helpline numbers : 1077, 1913 and 044-4567 4567.