Chennai Floods: NDRF Sends 20 More Teams; Rescues 10000

In November, Chennai reported more 40 inches of rain, more than three times the normal rainfall that is expected for the entire month, according to AccuWeather. Indian army soldiers rescue a man from flood waters in Chennai, India, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday conducted separate aerial surveys of the areas battered by the unprecedented rains that have killed 269 people till now.

As Chennai reeled from the heaviest rains in over a century, experts said the devastation was in large part due to the same breakneck and haphazard urban planning that has marked many of India’s major cities.

It is foreseen that next week, Southern India will be at more risk for worsening floods brought over by a combination of a weak tropical low and moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

Laxman Singh Rathore, director of the Indian Meteorological Department told CNN that the downpours were unlikely to cease this week, with heavy rain forecast for the next 48 hours.

The Cabinet Secretary asked the concerned Ministries to provide necessary assistance in a coordinated manner to the State Government, ensuring that the rescue and evacuation of the people was their top priority.

More than 5,000 houses were under water with many people still trapped on rooftops, while others crowded into relief camps.

Reports say there has been no rain in Chennai on Friday morning and water levels are receding in some parts of the city.

However, thousands of citizens continue to be marooned with several areas inundated and many people have been stuck in their homes without any food, water or electricity.

However, it was soon replaced by another photo showing a closer view of the flooded areas.

18 patients admitted at an intensive care unit of MIOT Hospital near here died due to power failure following floods, an official said. “Our coordination is with the State Government and we have spoken to the Home Secretary and the relief commissioners as well”, Singh said.