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Army, Air Force join rescue operation as Chennai struggles with rains

Army, Air Force join rescue operation as Chennai struggles with rains

By :  DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-11-13 07:42 GMT
The Army and Air Force have been deployed for rescuing stranded citizens in Kancheepuram district, where torrential rains have left residents marooned, even as rain water inundated a large part of suburban Tambaram locality here.
Though the deep depression had already crossed the Chennai coast on November 9, the Met office said a new trough of low pressure formed over South Andaman Sea was expected to bring heavy rains in the next few days. 
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has condoled the death of the victims, a majority of whom drowned in flood waters, and announced Rs four lakh each to their families of those killed from the Disaster Relief Fund.
Also, water level in reservoirs that supply drinking water to Chennai --Red Hills, Cholavaram, Chembarambakkam and Poondi have shown an increase with water supply now available for three months. 
Several lakes in Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram like the sprawling Madurantakam Eri received copious water.
Trains leaving Chennai were also affected due to water logging in the tracks. Arterial roads including in Anna Salai, Poonamallee High Road and GST Road in the city came under sheets of water hitting vehicular movement, according to authorities.
 
Office goers in the capital city had a harrowing time as they had to wade through knee-deep and in some places waist-deep waters.
Schools and colleges in northern districts including Chennai, Vellore, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram remained closed.
Parts of South Chennai including St Thomas Mount and Velacherry witnessed heaving water logging which even resulted in railway under-bridges being flooded.
The government, on Thursday put the toll in rain-related incidents at 48, including 27 from Cuddalore district. According to an official release, the toll stood at 55, as seven more persons lost their lives in rain-related incidents in various parts
At least 55 people lost their lives in Chennai as North East Monsoon continued to pound several parts of Tamil Nadu disrupting rail and road traffic.
Further, in her constituency, 48 motor pumps and six 'super-sucker' machines were being pressed into service to remove stagnant water, she said, adding 162 families had been evacuated to safer zones.
"People need not worry. I am there in support of you; so is the government. Normalcy will return soon and the government machinery is working day and night to ensure that," she said.
However, as soon as it was known that people were suffering due to the monsoon fury, the government machinery was in full swing, with Ministers and officials including those from police and Fire and Rescue Services working "relentlessly day and
Jayalalithaa said the government had put in all adequate preventive measures. "When rains that should have been realised in three months lash within a few days, any number of preventive measures will not suffice as stagnation and resulting damage
(Photo: PTI)
With her government facing opposition flak over the handling of the monsoon fury, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday said normalcy will return soon as the government machinery is working day and night to ensure welfare of people.
Citizens were also being evacuated from Kotturpuram and nearby areas in the city, as the discharge from Chembarambakkam lake had resulted in Adyar river running in spate.
With the monsoon fury causing flood and inundation in various parts of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had yesterday announced Rs 500 crore towards relief and rehabilitation.
The army was also now involved in the evacuation process, they added.
IAF helicopters from the Air Force station at Tambaram carried out six sorties and evacuated 22 persons last night they said, adding, food packets and water were air dropped.
Surplus water from lakes and tanks at Mudichur entered the suburban Tambaram locality, inundating a large part, they said, adding, personnel from Army and IAF were now assisting the district administration in the rescue efforts.
Personnel from the Madras 4 Regiment of the Indian Army have been pressed into service at Mudichur in Kancheepuram on the request of the district administration even as Air Force has conducted sorties to rescue citizens, Defence officials said.
There have been no fresh rains in the city on Tuesday.
Army, Air Force join rescue operation as Chennai struggles with rains

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