Cabinet Secretary asks for restoration of telecom services in TN

National Crisis Management Committee takes stock of Tamil Nadu situation

As telecom services are not fully functional in Chennai, the Cabinet Secretary has directed necessary steps should be taken to restore the same at the earliest.

This comes at a time when Chennai did not experience heavy rainfall since yesterday and the flood waters are receding. 

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) today under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Pradeep Kumar Sinha, reviewed the flood situation in Tamil Nadu.

The Cabinet Secretary took a detailed review of the flood situation including the rescue and relief measures undertaken by Tamil Nadu government and assistance provided by central government, according to PIB release.

NDRF, and Armed Forces sent by the Centre have rescued more than 28,000 persons. As the need for rescue has come down, the 50 NDRF teams and 13 army columns deployed are now rather pressed into relief services than rescue. Road connectivity has been restored.

City bus service is functioning. Power supply has been restored to more than 90% of the city. Railways continue to operate special intra-city and outstation services. Normal service is expected to begin from Monday. 

Restoration of Chennai airport is on the way and will be completed in a day or two. Meanwhile the operation of the civilian flights from the Naval Air Base in Arakonam is continued.

"As telecom services are not fully functional, the Cabinet Secretary has directed that necessary steps should be taken to restore the same at the earliest. Tamil Nadu government will hold a meeting with telecom service providers today to sort out the issues. To make the POL products available, Ministry of Petroleum will facilitate the same," said in the release..

Seven truck loads of dry ready-to-eat food provided by Ministry of Food Processing Industries have already reached Chennai and 20 are on the way. Railways supplied 2 lakh bottles of drinking water and 2 lakh more will be provided. Three naval ships carrying relief materials also have reached Tamil Nadu.

A massive cleaning operation is being undertaken to prevent epidemics and spread of diseases. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will send a high level team to assess the situation in Tamil Nadu and to provide help. 

NDMA also suggested that Tamil Nadu government should take steps to mark the HFL (High Flood Level) in all places to enable preparation of a future Mitigation and Preparedness plan.