AMN /
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an additional Rs 1000-crore financial package to the flood-hit Tamil Nadu to undertake immediate relief efforts in the affected areas.
The fund is in addition to the sum of Rs 940 crore released from the National Disaster Relief Fund immediately after the submission of the report by the state government on 23rd last month.
He took stock of the situation in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts by having an aerial view by helicopter. Then the Prime Minister reviewed the situation with the state chief minister J.Jayalalithaa and Governor K.Rosiah at the regional naval headquarters INS Adyar in which the chief minister explained the grim situation. Later, addressing the press, Mr Modi said the Union Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Tamil Nadu at this hour.
Meanwhile, flood situation continues to be grim in Chennai and its deluged suburbs, though rain has come down. Surplus water being released in huge quantities from major reservoirs in the adjoining districts continue to cause heavy flooding in many Chennai residential areas. Vehicular traffic is affected in the city and roads are in battered condition.
The state Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa made a 40-minute aerial survey and took stock of the flood conditions. She later held a review meeting with her cabinet colleagues and senior officials about the prevailing situation. Army troops dropped thousands of food packets from helicopters in and around Chennai this morning, where hundreds of residential areas are engulfed in water. Indian Navy also gave food and water to over 2000 people in Chennai.
The NDRF has pressed into service 100 boats for rescue missions and has deployed three more teams into service. With this, the NDRF has doubled its strength to 1200. Four additional columns of the Army has arrived Chennai for rescue and relief operations. The Indian Air Force is utilizing its Tambaram base for evacuation and relief works.
On the other hand, the death toll due to flood in Chennai has gone up to 269. It is feared that the figure may go up further. Many air passengers are stranded at Chennai Airport as operations from both the terminals are shut down till Friday morning. Express train services originating from Chennai Egmore station is also suspended today. Suburban train services are truncated at Tambaram Station. Bus services to the southern areas of the state is also hugely affected.