PM reaches Tamil Nadu to take stock of flood situation

The Indian military evacuated more than 2,000 residents stranded in the southern state of Tamil Nadu on Thursday as the death toll from flooding rose to 269 after the heaviest cloudburst in over a century. “Rapid rescue and relief is the need of the hour”.

Three days of fresh rains have again led to massive flooding, inundating homes, hospitals, roads, railway tracks and the city’s airport. An oil refinery has stopped operations.

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.

Train services will remain suspended until Saturday, officials say. Light showers of rain began in Koyambedu, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Ekkaduthangal areas of Chennai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has blamed climate change for the deluge, traveled to Chennai to get a first-hand view of a rescue effort that has so far been halting.

Shops and markets have opened as well and people are queuing up to buy food and fuel, although there are shortages of essentials supplies such as milk. “Saina would like to donate Rs two lakh to the victims of rains in Chennai, Tamil Nadu”.

People wade through a flooded road in Chennai, India, December 3, 2015.

Troops have set up 25 shelters and community kitchens for the flood victims.

Mdm Murthy said parts of her house were under water.

Life for people in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai continue to be hard though the rains have stopped in the capital.