Tamil Nadu rains: Modi announces additional Rs 1000 crore relief package, toll

With the flood wreaking havoc, Modi undertook an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of Chennai and its suburbs and neighbouring districts of Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur.

While the downpour eased early Thursday, the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy rain in several parts of the state through the rest of the week.

More than 7,000 people have been rescued so far, but many are still stranded, reports say. “The government of India will stand by the people of Tamil Nadu in their hour of need”, he said, announcing a relief package of Rs 1000 crore for the state.

The Union Government has released funds amounting to Rs. 509 Crore for relief materials in Chennai. “Rescuing people, providing accommodation at relief centres, offering food, drinking water and medical assistance are priority now”, Jayalalithaa said in a statement.As regards north coastal districts in Tamil Nadu and some places will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, he said.

“The Prime Minister agreed with the Chief Minister that the situation in Tamil Nadu was unprecedented and expressed concern at the seriousness of the situation”.

There was sporadic rainfall on Thursday, after a 24-hour cloudburst dumped as much as 345 mm (14 inches) of rain on the city earlier this week.

Over 4% of telephone connections were down and electricity had to be disconnected in several waterlogged areas for the safety of residents.

IAF sources said that the Force has received clearance from the authorities to ferry civilian passengers from Chennai to Delhi and the operations would begin post-noon today.

The floods have also cut off more than 3 million people from basic services and hampered rescue efforts by the army, which has so far evacuated 18,000 people from rooftops and outlying villages.

“Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm”, the IMD website said. Sporadic rainfall continued yesterday as rescuers joined thousands already there in a race against time to reach those who are stranded. An astonishing 741mm of rain fell during that month – more than twice the monthly average.

However, limited commercial flight operations are likely to start from the Rajali naval air station in Arakkonam, near Chen-nai, connecting Hydera-bad on Friday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

“We will have to resurrect an entire city”, said Abhijit Shaw, an army officer who was setting up a makeshift maternity ward in a government building.

The Southern Railway has announced special trains to Tirunelveli, Rameswaram and Howrah from Chennai Beach station.