Tamil Nadu government on war footing to rescue survivors: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu government is providing massive relief and coordinating rescue operations with central forces in the flood-hit areas of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Kanchipuram districts, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said on Wednesday after conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas. State government authorities from various departments have been directed to take stock of the situation in the flood-affected districts of the state and provide immediate and necessary assistance to the affected people, she said in a statement. 

Jayalalithaa said despite her government's preventive efforts, the state had suffered severe damage on account of the heavy rainfall during the Northeast monsoon. Thousands of stranded residents were rescued from various locations in the state, especially Chennai, by the Indian Air Force, NDRF and Navy using boats and helicopters. The people were shifted to relief camps, where they were provided food packets, baby food, water, mattresses and medicines, her statement said.

Steps are being taken to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases. Officials of the state-run Aavin have been instructed to provide milk powder to people at relief camps, she said. Jayalalithaa had yesterday also detailed the various steps taken by the government to tackle the situation in Chennai and other flood-hit districts. 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.