Rain fury: Army, Navy and special NDRF team deployed at various places in Chennai, heavy rainfall to continue

Chennai: Tamil Nadu has been battling with heavy rains for days and Chennai has been brought to its knees after a third spell of torrential rains lashed the city. Two columns of Army's Garrison Infantry Battalion have been pressed into service in Tambaram and Oorapakkam after the Tamil Nadu government sought military assistance. The Navy is also on stand-by.

"More Army personnel are coming to Chennai from Bengaluru," a Defence Public Relations official said adding "they have already left for Chennai".

The death toll in Tamil Nadu in the rain related incidents has risen to 188 since October. Many low lying areas in Chennai have been water logged.

Navy personnel were deployed in Sadiapet area of Chennai to rescue people marooned in low-lying areas. Gemini boats, divers, swimmers along with Associated Rescue Equipment and Dewatering pumps are also available at 5 minutes notice.

Helicopters are at standby for rescue and relief operations. UAVs available for aerial reconnaissance.

The National Disaster Relief Force has deployed its Urban Search And Rescue team for rescue and evacuation operation. The NDRF control room in Delhi is closely monitoring the situation and keeping close coordination with agencies.

Flight and railway services have been severely disrupted. All flights to Chennai from Hyderabad stand cancelled. The next flight scheduled is at 9 AM.

The Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall for the 24 hours across Tamil Nadu.

The rains that have virtually broken a 100-year-old record with one day's rainfall covering a month's average also flooded areas in Vadapalani, Valasaravakkam and Nandamvakkam as nearby lakes overflowed into the city.

Arun, a Chenni resident, said. "It is very hard situation in which we are living now. We are very badly affected. We have living in darkness as there is no electricity. We do not know what to do we are unable to return to our houses."

Most areas of Chennai, which have already been lashed by rains for over a fortnight, went under water on Tuesday severely disrupting train and bus services and forcing postponment of half-yearly school exams and closure of schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.

A large part of the road near Madhya Kailash temple in the heart of the city in an area that connects the IT corridor, caved in resulting in a huge crater and disrupting traffic.

Even in hitherto unaffected areas, people complained that water entered their homes and roads flooded with surging waters. Several areas in the city went without power as supply was cut as a safety precaution.

The situation has worsened in suburban areas of Tambaram and Mudichur after the Chembarakam lake overflowed and an unprecedented 26,000 cusecs of water was being released flooding the downstream areas. These areas had already suffered heavily during the earlier spells of rains.

NDRF has issued its helpline number for further assistance: 011-24363260, +919711077372.

Chennai Army Helpline; 9840295100

The Chennai City Corporation has set up emergency control rooms across the city. Regional office numbers:

First Regional Office (Tiruvottiyur) – 09445190001

Second Regional Office (Manali) – 09445190002

Third Regional Office (Madhavaram) – 09445190003

Fourth Regional Office (Tondiarpet) – 09445190004

Fifth Regional Office (Royapuram) – 0944510005

Sixth Regional Office (Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar) – 09445190006

Helpline Numbers:

Tree fall, Water logging - 1913

Sewage overflow - 45674567, 22200335

State Emergency: 1070

District Emergency: 1077

Electricity: 1912

Fire and Rescue: 101