The Army and Air Force have been deployed for rescuing stranded citizens in Kancheepuram district, where torrential rains have left residents marooned.
Rain water has inundated a large part of suburban Tambaram locality in Chennai – although there have been no fresh rains in the city today.
Personnel from the Madras 4 Regiment of the Indian Army have been pressed into service at Mudichur in Kacheepuram on the request of the district administration, even as the Air Force conducts sorties to rescue citizens – according to Defence officials.
Surplus water from lakes and tanks at Mudichur entered the suburban Tambaram locality, said Defence officials – adding that personnel from the Army and the IAF were now assisting the district administration in the rescue efforts.
They also revealed that IAF helicopters from the Air Force station at Tambaram had carried out six sorties and evacuated 22 persons last night, also dropping food packets and water in the course.
Citizens are being evacuated from Kotturpuram and nearby areas in the city, as the discharge from Chembarambakkam lake has resulted in Adyar river running in spate.
As many as 71 deaths have been reported in various rain-related incidents, including electrocution and drowning, till last night.
With the monsoon fury causing flood and inundation in various parts of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had yesterday announced Rs 500 crore towards relief and rehabilitation.