Life
for people in Chennai continues to be difficult though the rains have stopped
in the capital. Many areas istill remain under water and supplies of
essentials were difficult, said residents. “Water logging continues to be
there. The only mercy was that there were no rains,” said a resident.
The
water flow in Adyar river has come down and the amount of surplus water was
released into the river from the Chembarambakkam lake.
The
Southern Railways have announced special trains to Tirunelveli, Rameswaram and
Howrah from Chennai Beach station. Though the water was receding in many parts
of the city the misery of citizens showed little let up as power remained
suspended in many areas as a precautionary measure, officials said.
The
power supply was restored in the areas where water has receded, but it was
still cut in many other places. Mobile phone services, which had taken a severe
beating following the heavy downpour on Tuesday, were partially restored even
as other services such as ATMs continued to remain shut.
After
a day-long dry spell on Thursday, some areas in and around the city including
Kodambakkam, T Nagar and Tambaram received showers in the night but Friday
morning saw some bright skies with people out on the streets. The break in
rains resulted in a sharp fall in the discharge of waters from Chembarapakkam,
Pondi and Puzhal lakes leading to reduction in the water levels of the two
rivers that criss-cross the city.
In heavily flooded areas like Mudichur and Tambaram, people
were looking up to the skies praying for the rains to stop, and for relief
materials.
Safe
drinking water continued to remain a luxury for many. Milk and newspaper
supplies were erratic and many citizens complained that vegetables were still
being sold at high rates.
Transport
services were also showing signs of picking up. Train services on the suburban
Chennai Arakonnam stretch were partially restored. Southern Railway officials
said they were yet to take a call on restoration of services on the other busy
Tambaram—Chennai beach route which covers both business and residential areas. The
Chennai Metro line continued to witness enhanced patronage in the wake of
suspension of bus and rail transport.
Five
NDRF teams arrived early this morning for the task at Chennai, an official NDRF
spokesperson said.
The
force already has 30 teams, with 40 personnel in each, working in the areas of
the Tamil Nadu capital and adjoining Puducherry.
The
NDRF has also pressed in about 110 inflatable and other kinds of boats and
numerous sets of buoys and life jackets with the rescue and relief teams so
that the needy and the marooned get help.
NDRF helpline number: 011—24363260,044 – 22641170, 09711077372.