Over 500 evacuated by NDRF in flood-hit Tamil Nadu, claims DG

More than 500 people have so far been evacuated in flood-hit Tamil Nadu by several National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, claimed OP Singh, NDRF Director General (DG), on Wednesday.

"The teams have evacuated more than 500 people so far. Also, we are getting calls, messages from affected people and our teams are responding accordingly," he said.

He said the NDRF had dispatched three teams from Delhi and four from Bhubaneswar.

"We have, so far, dispatched 22 teams, which are carrying almost 80 boats with them," said Singh.

If situation aggravated, he said, they would have to press into service more teams from various parts of the country.

"It's a challenging time for the NDRF, and we are trying to face each and every challenge accordingly," he added.

Earlier, the India Air Force (IAF) lifted three NDRF teams from the Palam airport for flood-hit Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening with relief materials.

A C-113 aircraft took off the NDRF teams from Palam, while a C-17 has already gone to Tamil Nadu from Chandigarh with three NDRF teams.