Relief For Chennai As Rain Stops, Water Levels Recede
CHENNAI: Chennais flood crisis has eased and water is receding from various parts of the city but some areas remain cut off after the worst rain in nearly 100 years.
Seven flights will be operated today by Air India and some private airlines from the Rajali Naval air station in Arakkonam near Chennai.
Chennai’s airport remains shut after a flooded runway forced the cancellation of all flights on Monday. Train services will remain suspended till tomorrow, say officials.
As many as 100 people are still stranded at the Chennai airport and their evacuation is expected to be completed by Friday morning.
Water levels in the Adyar and Cooum rivers have reduced after a sharp fall in water being released from Chembarapakkam, Pondi and Puzhal lakes.
The Army and the National Disaster Response Force have rescued more than 7,000 people so far. But many are still marooned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced immediate relief of Rs. 1,000 crore on Thusrday during his visit to Chennai. He took an aerial survey of the flood-hit city and said, “The government of India will stand by the people of Tamil Nadu in their hour of need.”
Rescue work has been hampered in some areas due to live electricity wires from broken poles that have fallen into the water. The state electricity board suspended power as a precautionary measure.
Prices of milk, vegetables and food items skyrocketed because of short supply. A one-litre packet of milk is being sold for Rs. 100 in some places. A bottle of mineral water costing Rs. 20 is being sold for Rs. 150. Vegetables like tomato and beans are being sold for Rs. 80 to Rs. 90 a kg.
Terming the situation in Chennai as “very alarming”, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday, said there had been 269 deaths in Tamil Nadu since the heavy rain and flooding began last month.
Schools, colleges and offices have been forced to close and exams have been postponed. Telecom companies have offered free talk-time to their customers.
Emergency Toll Free Number: 1910, State Emergency: 1070, District Emergency: 1077, Electricity:1912, Fire & Rescue: 101, Ambulance: 108, Tree fall, waterlogging – 1913, Sewage overflow – 45674567, 22200335
Helpline Numbers: Tiruvottiyur : 09445190001, Manali: 09445190002; Madhavaram: 9445190003, Ambattur: 9445190007; Tondiarpet: 9445190004, Royapuram: 9445190005; Annanagar: 9445190008, Teynampet: 9445190009, Alandur: 9445190012, Adyar: 9445190013,Perungudi: 9445190014
Flood Control Room: 28593990, 044-28410577,9445869843/47
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Source:Ndtv
