Chennai breathes a sigh of relief as incessant rains take a break

Hit by alarming floods because of heavy rains, residents of Chennai and its neighbourhood have finally found some relied in what can be called a relatively dry spell. Rains seem to have stopped, bringing relief to both residents and rescue agencies, and there are rising hopes of water receding fast.

Even though several services, like ATMs, continue to remain shut, mobile phone services have partially restored after being down because of heavy downpour since a few days.

However, power is still suspended in many areas as a precautionary measure, helping little in the misery of trapped citizens. Other problems being faced by residents include scarcity for safe water, irregular milk and newspaper supplies, and high rates of vegetables.
Commercial flights have also started from the Rajali naval air station in Arakkonam near Chennai, but operations are limited as of now. Train services on the suburban Chennai Arakonnam stretch have also been partially restored.

An intensified relief and rescue operation has been started by NDRF, adding ten more teams for the job and having rescued 9,000 people as of now.

"We have rescued about 9,000 people till now. Ten more teams from Pune and Patna have been mobilised to Tamil Nadu. We expect to have better results today as things have improved and communication is enhanced," Director General of the force, O P Singh, said.

Material ready for rescue operation includes 110 inflatable and other kinds of boats and numerous sets of buoys and life jackets. 011-24363260 and 09711077372 are the active helpline numbers at the force’s control room.

Both Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa and Indian PM Narendra Modi have made aerial visits to the flood-affected areas. After their separate aerial surveys, both leaders met and Jayalalithaa urged for an immediate relief of Rs 5,000 crore. However, Modi responded by announcing Rs 1000 crore more for relief work in Tamil Nadu, in addition to the sum of Rs 940 crore already been announced by the centre.

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