Chennai: Army and navy on Tuesday came to the rescue of hundreds of people severely hit by heavy rains in Chennai that have left several parts of the city submerged
Besides rushing in with rescue teams, the armed forces have also launched UAVs to get an assessment of the situation
On being requisitioned by the state government, two columns of army's flood rescue and relief teams comprising troops from the Garrison Infantry Battalion and Engineer elements were activated and have begun their operations in Tambaram, Mudichur, Manipakam, Guduvancheri and Urapakkam areas of Chennai since last evening
At about 11 PM on Tuesday, an army column was able to rescue about 15 trapped civilians in a bus affected by flood waters
The rescue teams have till 11 AM on Wednesday succeeded in rescuing and bringing over 50 marooned civilians to safety in Gudvancheri and Mudichur
A third army rescue column was put into service on Wednesday morning. Another column is being rushed in from Bangalore by road, an army statement said
Additional army resources are being mobilised for providing assistance to the flood-affected areas
Meanwhile, the navy too has chipped in with three teams
One team comprising 20 sailors (five divers and 15 good swimmers) with Gemini boats and associated gears were deployed last night to Gandhi Nagar near Adyar bridge. Team returned on Wednesday after rescuing 15 stranded personnel
Team two consisting of one officer, 16 sailors (four divers and 12 good swimmers), two Geminis and 250 food packets was deputed today morning at RDO Office, Tambaram upon the state government's request. The team was directed to report to Secretary Tourism designated as Monitoring Officer, navy sources said
Team three from Rajali consisting of two officers, 50 sailors and 200 packets was deployed on Wednesday to RDO Tambaram office for central flood relief operation thereafter
Additional boats were being deployed to RDO Office, Tambaram for use by Rajali flood relief team
INS Chetlat on Palkbay patrol responded to a distress call to rescue a missing fishing vessel last evening and it was detected in the night with total loss of propulsion and power generation
The fishing vessel was towed to Rameswaram and arrived at the jetty on Wednesday early morning.
