Update: 4.15pm
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Chennai and its suburbs.
The Chief Minister, who was in a chopper, witnessed firsthand the damage caused by the monsoon fury, officials said.
Later she took stock of the issue with the senior officials, they said.
The Chief Minister wanted to undertake the exercise on Wednesday but could not do so because of bad weather and the inability expressed by the pilots.
She had on Wednesday detailed the various steps taken by the government to tackle the situation in Chennai and other flood-hit districts.
Various ministers, including O. Paneerselvam, have been deputed to take charge of the relief works in different districts.
Senior IAS officials have also been tasked to ensure that relief reaches the people in the worst—affected Chennai and other districts.
PM Modi arrives in Chennai:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches INS Rajali in Arakkonam. He will take stock of the flood situation by conducting an aeriel survey in Chennai and suburbs.
Earlier report:
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct an aerial survey of the rain-hit areas on Thursday. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will also do the same in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur.
Chennai airport will remain shut till December 6. Nearly 700 passengers will be airlifted from Chennai to Hyderabad by the Air Force on Thursday.
Rescue Operations
More than 100 boats have been deployed to evacuate more residents and shift them to safer areas. More than 30 NDRF teams are present at the region to take stock of the situation.
On Thursday, the NDRF rescued 600 people from an area in Thiruvallur and recovered 1 body. One person was found dead in Vellore. 12 critical patients were rescued from an area in Vellore. Air Force and Army choppers have also been pressed into the relief and rescue mission. Several people stranded in waterlogged areas have been rescued during regular sorties conducted by the Air Force and Army helicopters. Food packets, ration and other items of daily needs have been air dropped the worst-hit areas.
Three C-130s of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown from the Hindon air base in Ghaziabd to Tirupati along with NDRF personnel and relief material. The Navy has deployed three flood relief teams so far. Navy has also launched a helpline: 044-25394240
Chennai declared disaster zone
Chennai was declared a disaster zone on Wednesday. According to sources, as many as 35 lakes are flowing above the red mark, raising fears of more flooding.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured all help and cooperation will be extended to victims, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday announced that state-owned telecommunication company BSNL will not charge its customers in Chennai for one week starting today.
The Bengaluru-Chennai road has now been opened. Several students and migrants are stranded at the railway stations. The weather office in Chennai has predicted more rains in Tamil Nadu over the next 24 hours due to presence of a low pressure in Bay of Bengal. Cuddalore, Coimbatore, Nilgiris districts may witness very heavy rainfall.
List of cancelled/partially cancelled trains
Trains cancelled on 1st December, 2015
1) Train No. 22870 Chennai Central – Visakhapatnam Express is cancelled
2) Train No.12621 Chennai Central – New Delhi Tamilnadu Express is cancelled
3) Train No.12840 Chennai Central – Howram Mail is cancelled{mosimage}
Trains cancelled on 2nd December, 2015
1) Train No.16031 Chennai Central – Sri Mata Vaishnodevi Katri (Jammu Tawi) Andaman Express is cancelled.
2) Train No.12077 Chennai Central – Vijayawada Janshatabdi Express is cancelled.
3) Train No.12842 Chennai Central – Howrah Coromandel Express is cancelled.
4) Train No.12656 Chennai Central – Ahmedabad Navjevan Express is cancelled
5) Train No.22611 Chennai Central – New Jalpaigri Express is cancelled.
6) Train No.22403 Puducherry – New Delhi Express is cancelled.{mosimage}
Trains partially cancelled on 2nd December, 2015
1) Train No 12711 Vijayawada – Chennai Central Pinakini Express is partially cancelled between Gudur and Chennai Central.
2) Train No 12712 Chennai Central – Vijayawada Pinakini Express is partially cancelled between Chennai Central and Gudur.
Train cancelled on 2nd December, 2015
1) Train No. 12078 Vijayawada-Chennai Central Jansatabdhi Express.
Trains diverted
1) Train No. 15120 Manduadih-Rameshwaram weekly Express is diverted to run via., Chennai Egmore, Perambur, Jolarpettai, Salem, Karur and Dindigul.
2) Train No. 22404 New Delhi-Puducherry (Weekly) Exp is diverted to run via., Chennai Central, Perambur, Katpadi and Villupuram.
3) Train No. 12642 Nizamuddin-Kanniyakumari Thirukkural Express is diverted to run via., Chennai Central, Jolarpettai, Salem, Karur and Dindigul.
4) Train No. 12664 Tiruchchirappalli-Howrah (Bi-weekly) Exp is diverted to run via., Villupuram, Katpadi, Chennai Central. {mosimage}{mosimage}
HELPLINE NUMBERS
Tree fall and water logging: 1913, Sewage overflow: 45674567, State emergency: 1070, District emergency: 1077, Electricity: 1912, Fire and rescue: 101
Regional Office (Tiruvottiyur): 9445190001, Regional Office (Manali): 9445190002, Regional Office (Madhavaram): 9445190003, Regional Office (Tondiarpet): 9445190004, Regional Office (Royapuram): 9445190005, Regional Office (Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar): 9445190006, Regional Office (Ambattur): 9445190007, Regional Office (Annanagar): 9445190008, Regional Office (Teynampet): 9445190009, Regional Office (Kodambakkam): 9445190010, Regional Office (Valasaravakkam): 9445190011, Regional Office (Alandur): 9445190012, Regional Office (Adyar): 9445190013, Regional Office (Perungudi): 9445190014, Regional Office (Sholinganallur): 9445190015
