People in Chennai are feeling some respite as there has been no rain this morning while levels of Adyar and Kumbh rivers have fallen considerably following reduced discharge from reservoirs like Chembarampakkam, Madurantakam and Puzhal lakes. On Thursday, clouds scattered in parts of Chennai to let the sun shine after days.
However, Chennai is now facing a severe shortage of food with essential item being sold at very high prices. Many people are still marooned after unprecedented rains in 100 years pounded the city, its suburbs and neighbouring districts destroying road and rail links, shutting the airport and rendering thousands homeless.
Latest Updates:
– 45 bodies were brought to a government hospital; 14 were patients from a private hospital who died allegedly after ventilators stopped working: reports.
– Chennai is not likely to receive heavy rainfall for next 48 hours: BP Yadav (MET, Director)
– There has been no rain in Chennai this morning and a sharp fall in water levels in the rivers. However, India Meteorological Department (Met) has sounded more rains in the next 48 hours.
– In signs of easing of situation, the water levels of Adyar and Kumbh rivers have fallen considerably following reduced discharge from reservoirs like Chembarampakkam, Madurantakam and Puzhal lakes.
– Chennai is facing a huge shortage of food and essential items like milk and water. A one-litre packet of milk is being sold for Rs. 100 to Rs 200 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.
– Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will dispatch one lakh bottles of
Rail Neer to Chennai, which is currently reeling under devastating floods.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 1,000 cr for relief and rescue operation for Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister said that it is over and above Rs 940 crore which was released earlier. “The Government of India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of need,” He said.
– Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa urged PM Modi for release of Rs 5000 crore for flood relief works. Jayalalithaa made the demand after Modi and she carried out an aerial survey of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur and Cuddalore districts.
– Air India will operate a special flight to the Arrakonam Naval Air Station from Hyderabad to ferry the stranded passengers, who have been airlifted from Chennai airport by the IAF choppers.
– Army, Navy, Air Force and NDRF continued their relief and rescue operations in flood-affected Chennai by pressing into service multiple flights and evacuating over 7,000 people from submerged parts of the city.
– Indian Air Force has pressed into service three aircraft to evacuate hundreds of passengers stranded at the Chennai airport where operations were suspended due to heavy rains and waterlogging on the runway. One C-130J from Tambaram to Delhi, and two C-17s from
Arakkonam got back stranded passengers to Begumpet and Delhi.
– Over 50 persons died in last 20 days in various parts of Andhra Pradesh in rain-related
incidents, deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa said.
– Terming the situation in flood-hit Chennai as “very alarming”, Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured all central assistance to state governments in dealing with natural calamities and said eight army columns have been rushed to carry out rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Tamil Nadu. “As many as 269 people have died in Tamil Nadu due to the
torrential rains, while two in Pudducherry and 54 in Andhra Pradesh.” He said.