Chennai: The Nation Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has said it will intensify its operations in the flood-affected areas of Tamil Nadu from today with more of its personnel being deployed on the ground.
NDRF Director General O P Singh said today that over 100 boats, 22 divers, 445 life jackets and 328 buoys have been pressed in by the force and more such rescue items are being dispatched. Two DIG rank officers and a Commandant have already been deputed in Chennai to oversee operations in the affected areas.
A Navy official involved in the rescue efforts said that most of the places are flooded and lot of efforts are going on both on the ground and by air.
"An aircraft is going to evict people stranded at the civil airport. So, we are going to establish an air bridge between Meenambakam civil airport at Chennai and Arakkonam. So that maximum people will be transferred to Arakkonam. And thereafter they will be flown out," the official said.
The Airport Authority of India had late last night announced that Chennai airport will remain shut till December 6 in wake of the downpour and predictions of more rains.
The death toll in the rains that have lashed the city and other parts of the state has gone up to 197, officials said.
All modes of transport -- air, road and rail services -- have been hit due to the unprecedented deluge, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at the airport and various rail terminals.
Adding to the woes of the citizens and the administration, the weatherman has forecast more rainfall under the influence of a trough of low pressure and upper air circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lankan coast. Predictions are that the state will see an anti-cyclone activity which will be associated with "heavy rains" at some places.
On Wednesday, the NDRF had rushed about 600 personnel and over 40 inflatable boats to be deployed in relief and rescue operations in rain-battered Chennai. With the Chennai airport and nearby landing facilities shut down, 15 teams were airlifted from Bhubaneswar and Delhi by the Indian Air Force and landed at the 'INS Rajali' airbase in Arakkonam, about 60 km west of Chennai.
(With inputs from PTI)
