Torrential rains to continue in flood-hit Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Life in the Tamil Nadu capital was crippled on Wednesday as fresh downpour worsened an already disastrous flood situation, posing danger to thousands of people in low-lying areas.

At least 269 people had been killed in the state since heavy rains started in the beginning of November, said India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh, although no deaths have been reported in the latest deluge.

Heavy rains and water overflowing above the danger level at Railway Bridges in Chennai-Gudur section has impacted the functioning of trains following which the South Central Railway (SCR) has cancelled 12 trains and assured full refunds of fare for the same. Auto-rickshaws and taxis plied in some parts of Chennai but the operators fleeced commuters.

Additional rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) was predicted from Thursday through Sunday, meaning the situation could remain critical for several more days.

A senior federal official said more than 1,000 people had been critically injured and were rushed to government hospitals by paramilitary forces. Images of people stranded on roof tops and in boats have gone viral.

I have spoken to Health Minister of Tamil Nadu on flood situation. So much so that a half-litre packet of milk was being sold at Rs 50 in many areas. The Chennai airport has been completely shutdown and is expected to continue operations only from December 6.

Earlier, initiating the discussion, T.G. Venkatesh Babu of the AIADMK demanded adequate assistance from the Centre for flood-hit Tamil Nadu.

Chennai Airport will remain closed till Friday.

Weather experts say the seasonal northeast monsoon was responsible for the flooding in the city of six million, but was amplified this year by El Nino, a warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean that can have far-reaching climate effects.

Army officials in New Delhi said there were cases of residents turning their wrath on rescue teams, accusing them of failing to help.

Describing as the worst rain disrupting normal life in Chennai in a century as army the Navy and the National Disaster Response Force has been called in for rescue operations on a war footing.

“Our top priority is to rescue marooned people on the first and second floors and getting them to safer, drier places”, he told AFP.