Narendra Modi takes stock of flood situation in Tamil Nadu, assures support

Modi spoke to Jayalalithaa and promised her all possible cooperation from Centre

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took stock of the flood situation in Tamil Nadu and discussed it with his cabinet colleagues, including the Home and Finance Ministers.

"I want to inform the House that today morning the Prime Minister met the Home Minister, Finance Minister and myself discussed the flood conditions in Tamil Nadu. We exchanged information on the situation," Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in the Lok Sabha.

Modi on Tuesday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and assured her all possible support and cooperation from the Centre, he said.

Naidu further said that Singh would chair a high-level meeting to ensure relief to the people of Tamil Nadu. "The Home Minister is going to hold a high-level meeting... They are trying to coordinate with various agencies on relief operations. 400 passengers are stranded... NDRF team is there," Naidu said.

Most areas of Chennai have been inundated after heavy rains lashed the state, severely disrupting flights, train and bus services and forcing postponement of half-yearly school exams. The death toll in rain-related incidents touched 188.

Tamil Nadu rains: Rahul Gandhi calls for relief and rescue operations at the earliest

Naidu said a discussion in the House on the situation arising out of heavy rains in different parts of India, including Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal too, will give "confidence" to the people affected by floods in Tamil Nadu. "I have alerted the Civil Aviation Ministry to send food for the relief camps. Since the runway is full of water, we have to send food and other basic amenities to the people stranded there," Naidu said.

NDRF teams leave for Tamil Nadu from Delhi with relief material. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/WkrDzWkr4S

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 2015

On a personal note, he said his daughter and grand daughter have sent to him pictures of Chennai and he is "moved by plight of ordinary people there". The flood is the worst in 100 years and was unprecedented and unheard of. "It is time for Parliament to convey to people that be confident. It is not time to criticise the Government. Navy, army, NDRF have been pressed into action and if there is need for any further support that too will be sent," Naidu said.

Meanwhile, Army and Air Force were involved in rescue work and distribution of food packets at suburban Tambaram and Oorapakkam, ships of the Navy and Coast Guard were on standby, officials said.

Expert Naval divers and inflatable boats were deployed at Adyar and Kotturpuram areas to help marooned citizens. Alok Bhatnagar, Naval officer in charge, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, said ships, INS Airawat and other amphibian vessels would arrive here tonight. The Navy was also ready with medical supplies, he said.

Seven boats had already been deployed for rescue work, while shelters were ready to accommodate 200 people. Though a let-up early morning gave hope for residents and rescue agencies, rain water showed little signs of receding even as the Adyar river continued to swell following discharge of excess water from Chembarambakkam reservoir as well as yesterday's torrential downpour.