Chennai floods crisis: Updates on Thursday

In view of Chennai floods banks are requested to ensure ATMs are functional. Alternative mechanisms like mobile ATM, ATM vans and mobile ATMs mounted on boats may be used: Dept of Financial Services

Also Read: Declare Chennai rain as 'national disaster': Congress to govt

At least 269 people have lost their lives in Chennai floods till now.

Constant monitoring situation,rain affected areas by us.Providing best possible help in this hour of serious crisis https://t.co/4peEq0xzvX

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 3, 2015

Maharashtra government extends supports to Tamil Nadu. CM Devender Fadnavis expresses solidarity. 

Also Read: Jayalalithaa seeks Rs.5,000 crore, Modi gives Rs.1,000 crore

This facility is available for emergency exits from Chennai. Therefore no check-in baggage is allowed: Mahesh Sharma

Six flights tomorrow and six flights day after will leave from INS Rajali to go to various places. Charges will be Rs.1000/ticket and Rs.2000/ticket depending on the destination, charges applied to avoid an overload/stampede: Mahesh Sharma (MoS, Civil Aviation)

Given the alarming situation in TN have ordered the suspension of toll collection on all NHs in the state till Dec 11, 2015. Order has been issued to ease rescue, relief and rehab operations being undertaken by various central and state agencies: Nitin Gadkari.

Also Read: Centre suspends toll collection on NHs in Tamil Nadu

#ChennaiFloods: Helpline Numbers by #IndianArmy https://t.co/8Yptfe5QTY

— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 3, 2015

Our helicopters survey areas & giving info to admin as to where they can expect problems: Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Eastern Naval Command told ANI

Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha has chaired a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the flood situation in TN. He has asked the concerned ministries to provide assistance in coordinated manner to state government and ensure rescue and evacuation is priority.

No rain in T Nagar and Saidapet areas of Chennai for the last four hours. 

I have seen the damage and misery caused by the extremely heavy rainfall: PM

We are all pained by the devastation in TN. Took stock of the damage, on the ground & through an aerial survey. pic.twitter.com/veEdDipooV

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2015

Rs 1000 crore assistance is over and above the Rs 940 crore which was released earlier: PM Modi

Also Read: Tamil Nadu floods: PM Modi announces Rs 1,000 crore for relief work

PM Modi has announced Rs 1000 crore assistance for Chennai floods.

"Indian government stands by the people of Tamil Nadu in this crisis," says PM.

PM @narendramodi announces immediate relief of 1000 crore for flood hit Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/246CLEsqc6

— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 3, 2015

Several people rescued from flood-affected areas have been brought to Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad by IAF aircraft C-17.

PM Modi has met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. She has apprised him about the situation.

Indian Metrological Department (IMD) director general LS Rathore has said that the situation in Chennai is still grim and "we cannot presume that the city is out of danger".

"We cannot presume that Chennai is now out of danger, but central Tamil Nadu coast is more vulnerable," Rathore said. 

"There is light rainfall since morning, coastal areas are badly hit. ​There is heavy rain in Pondicherry and Nagapattinam," he added.

There is light rainfall since morning, coastal areas badly hit-LS Rathore,MeT Dept #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/Hoznvd3dlc

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Train traffic has been hit and will take time to restore-Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/RknYeD8VGj

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Also Read: Over hundred people rescued; pregnant woman airlifted

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at INS Rajali in Arakkonam. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/wm4bc5jdEv

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

ANI is reporting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the INS Rajali in Arakkonam. It may be noted that INS Rajali naval base is functioning as a makeshift airport in view of the flooding at Chennai International Airport.

If ppl want to cancel Chennai tickets then till Dec 15 there will be no cancellation charge-Ashwini Lohani,Air India pic.twitter.com/JYIAnZRrmn

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

PM Narendra Modi, who will tour flood-affected areas in Chennai and neighbouring districts today, is expected to arrive in Tamil Nadu shortly.

Air India will operate special flight A320 from Hyderabad to Arakkonam Naval Base to evacuate stranded passengers.

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There's also plan to airlift civilians frm flood affected areas&bring them to Hyderabad:Suresh Badyal #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/yBgMbtKOHp

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Since y’day evening whole night,IAF C-17s hv been flying carrying NDRF teams:Suresh Badyal,1st Air Officer Commanding,Air Force Stn Begumpet

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Relief supplies & Indian Army team leaving to Arrakkonam from AF station Begumpet pic.twitter.com/SQQvefIbRA

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava says they are offering their landline customers in Chennai free calls to any network anywhere in country for next one week.

For mobile network customers, they can talk to any BSNL customer - calls, SMS absolutely free for next one week, Shrivastava adds.

Facebook this morning activated its hugely-popular Safety Check feature in Chennai for the flood-affected. The tool allows people to mark themselves as "safe" from the floods. It is a unique way to let your near and dear ones know that you are safe.

Navy chief Admiral RK Dhowan says they have deployed ships, aircraft and personnel in Chennai to carry out relief and rescue operations. 

INS Airavat has also reached Chennai with relief supply, the Navy chief says, adding naval personnel have been distributing food packets.

"We carried out an innovative survey of the flood-affected areas using UAVs where we could in order to assist the state administration. ​INS Rajali has been activated and all relief material as well as civil flights are operating from our corner," Admiral Dhowan said.

INS Airavat on its way from Vizag with diving teams and boats, has now reached Chennai. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/lVKGOwTKZT

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

After 48 hours, though there is reduction in intensity of rainfall but we don't see total secession of rainfall for the next 5 to 6 days - IMD

Rainfall will also forecast for southern coastal Andhra Pradesh districts like Chittoor and Nellore - Rathore

WATCH: 1 food packet lands on rooftop, woman signals to IAF chopper to not drop more saying its sufficient pic.twitter.com/5d0H0DTY05

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

LS Rathore, DG, IMD, says in the next 48 hours, entire Tamil Nadu coast is going to receive fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall.

"And at a few places extremely heavy rainfall," Rathore stated. 

Chennai Railway station has been shut due to waterlogging, Rajnath Singh tells Parliament.

According to Rajnath Singh, the death toll so far in Tamil Nadu rains is 269.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the present spell of rainfall has broken the record of past 100 years.

"The MeT department has predicted heavy rainfall for the next 2 to 3 days. About 40% of the mobile and telephone connections are not working due to floods," Rajnath said.

"PM Modi will do an aerial survey today and appropriate steps will be taken after that," Rajnath added.

The minister further told the Lok Sabha that out of NDRF's 30 teams, two have been deployed in Pondicherry.

ANI is reporting that light showers have started in Koyambedu, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Ekkaduthangal areas of Chennai.

IAF chopper drops food packets for stranded locals in Chennai #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/g7IHuRnzIT

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Even a prepared government can't handle rainfall of such a magnitude - Rathore

El Nino and intense Northeast Monsoon main causes behind the unprecedented Chennai rains - Rathore

Focus will be on northern Tamil Nadu in the next 48 hours, says IMD director general LS Rathore in a press conference.

Aerial view of #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/Ovnmy3FUTA

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Leaving for Chennai to take stock of the situation arising due to the devastating floods.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2015

IAF airlift 200 stranded people from Chennai,being brought to Air base in Begumpet(Telangana) #ChennaiFloods

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just tweeted that he will be leaving for Chennai shortly to take stock of the situation arising due to the devastating floods there.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi leaves for Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is currently surveying the flood-hit areas in Chennai and its neighbourhood.

Also Read: Jayalalithaa conducts aerial survey of flood-hit areas

Navy Chief  Admiral RK Dhowan is expected to brief the media shortly on the rescue operations in Chennai.

Even a light drizzle is proving to be a hindrance in rescue operations - LS Rathore, DG, IMD

NDRF has rescued about 2400 people so far in Chennai. We have now more than 100 boats there - OP Singh, DG, NDRF

Latest update: People in Chennai are breathing a sigh of relief as rains have abated for now. However, excessive discharge of water last night from Chembarambakkam lake on the outskirts of Chennai has flooded new areas of the city and is threatening to uproot people from their homes.

Teams of the NDRF, Army, Navy and commandos of police and fire service personnel have been deployed for rescue and relief works in the worst-affected areas of Kotturpuram, Jafferkhanpet and Nandanam on the banks of the Adyar river that has been in spate for the last two days.

For the first time in over 40 years, the water has risen rapidly on the river breaching the road and the Maraimalai Adigal bridge in Saidapet cutting the arterial Anna Salai (Mount Road), rendering it out of bounds for motorists.

Though there has been no rain since last night, the fresh flooding of the streets in the heart of the city in areas like Kodambakkam and T Nagar and Ashok Nagar has been caused by the release of an estimated 30,000 cusecs of water from the Chembarambakkam lake, one of city's source of drinking water.  The reservoir has been surplussing because of heavy inflow due to rains in the catchment area.

The sky is overcast without any fresh rainfall and people are worried about the forecast of showers over the next three days.

Milk and other essentials like vegetables are in short supply. A half-litre packet of milk was being sold at Rs 50 in many areas. Diesel and petrol are also in short supply and there are long queues of motorists at the few number of petrol pumps that supply them.

Over 50,000 people have been rescued from flooded homes in various areas and lodged in relief centres opened by the Chennai Corporation. The Air Force and Army are said to be rushing in with supplies for the people in distress. - PTI

Also Read: Chennai rains - Students, migrants left stranded; railway stations turn into inns

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu says he has spoken to PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the situation in Chennai.

"The Home Secretary is continuously monitoring the situation. We are providing all necessary help (to Tamil Nadu). Army and naval forces have also been mobilised," Naidu adds.

Also Read: IAF airlifts 200 stranded passengers from Chennai to Hyderabad

Lakhs of people displaced, they have no way to go. Airport flooded, alarming situation-Kanimozhi #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/0zoFW7Ik8z

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Also Read: Navy has deployed ships, tankers for 'Operation Madad': Admiral Dhowan

President Pranab Mukherjee says he is saddened by the loss of human lives and serious damage to infrastructure in Chennai due to heavy rains.

The President adds that he is confident the people of Tamil Nadu will overcome this tragedy with fortitude and dignity.

Also Read: President condoles loss of lives due to Tamil Nadu rains

NDRF director general OP Singh says seven more teams have reached Chennai and will evacuate more people and move them to safer places.

"Now, we have more than 100 boats in action there and 29 teams are present," Singh said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Chennai city and its suburbs in Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts on Thursday. A late-night statement issued by the state government said she wanted to undertake the exercise yesterday but could not do so because of the bad weather and the inability expressed by the pilots.

In the statement, she detailed the various steps taken by the government to tackle the situation in Chennai and other two districts and the relief and rescue operations being conducted. She also disclosed that various ministers, including O Paneerselvam, have been deputed to take charge of the relief works in different districts. Senior IAS officials have also been tasked to ensure that relief reaches the people in the worst-affected Chennai and other districts.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa to undertake aerial survey of flood-hit areas today

Tambaram railway station turned into a makeshift shelter for stranded passengers (2/12/15) #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/hIJN3YNT65

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Waterlogging in many parts of Chennai due to heavy rains (Visuals from Pondy Bazaar) #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/McN3inZy57

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement in Parliament today on the flood situation in Chennai, reports ANI.

The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) has warned that the torrential rains that have caused heavy flooding in Tamil Nadu will continue for the next three days.

"There will be no respite," said Laxman Singh Rathore, director general of meteorology at the IMD.

A joint statement by the IMD and Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, said: "Tamil Nadu's weather is under observation for the next 72 hours as the rain in the next 48 hours is going to be comparatively heavy."

The heaviest rainfall in over a century has caused massive flooding across Tamil Nadu, driving thousands from their homes, shutting auto factories and paralysing the airport in the state capital Chennai.

The flooded Chennai International Airport will continue to remain shut till at least December 6, the Airports Authority of India has said. Naval Air Station INS Rajali, near Arakkonam, will be used as a makeshift airport till that time.

Electricity supply continues to remain snapped in many areas and telephone services also continue to be disrupted.

Schools and colleges will continue to remain shut, and suburban train services suspended. Most buses are also off roads though auto-rickshaws and taxis are plying in some parts of Chennai.

According to the government, 72,119 people were housed in 432 relief camps, but thousands of passengers were still stranded at the Chennai airport and railway stations.

Unlike in the past, upmarket localities like Shastri Nagar, Anna Nagar, Alwarpet and Mylapore are also flooded. With the river overflowing, traffic over the Adayar bridge near Saidapet has been closed for safety.

Surplus water from Poondi reservoir, which supplies water to Chennai, was released yesterday, causing more misery. Water level in the Chembarambakkam, Puzhal and Sholavaram reservoirs have also touched the danger mark.

Police have meanwhile blocked the wide stretch of Chennai beach as a precaution.

Life in Chennai was crippled on Wednesday as fresh downpour worsened an already disastrous flood situation, posing danger to thousands of people in low-lying areas. The financial loss may exceed Rs 15,000 crore, an industry lobby body said.

Soldiers joined the rescue and relief work and more troops were on their way from Bengaluru to Chennai, the sprawling southern metropolis with over 4.6 million residents.

The unprecedented rains, the worst in 100 years, have battered Tamil Nadu's northern districts such as Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Cuddalore. In the last spell of rains, around 180 people had died in the four districts.