Cries for help continue as normalcy creeps back in deluged Chennai (Roundup)

Life in flood-hit Chennai is slowly limping back to normalcy, with sun shining on Tuesday, but there were still areas, especially suburban, where the situation is still very grim and relief yet to reach the despondent residents.

Rescue and relief operations were going on in water logged areas including north Chennai, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, but some areas were still cut off.

"The Anakaputtur area (a Chennai suburb but falling under Kanchipuram district) is still under several feet of water with government relief measures not reaching the people there," Geetha Mohandas, a resident, told IANS.

Even in city where the flood water has receded, life continues to be a struggle as people have to clear the slush and also look out for safe drinking water as the piped water is contaminated with sewage.

Shops opened up and a massive clean up operation have been initiated in the affected districts where the water levels have receded.

Schools and colleges remain closed in 12 districts. Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa said the half-yearly exams should be held only January 2016 and this is applicable to all schools in the state.

She also said domestic users can pay their power bills up to January 31, 2016.

Resumption of auto-rickshaw services and public transport made people's life easier after being completely crippled for the past six days. Southern Railways however has cancelled some long distance trains at Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore stations.

General insurers are expecting a flood loss claims out go of not less than Rs.1,500 crore towards damages to factory stocks, vehicles and others.

Car maker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd announced that it is geared up to meet the rush for vehicle servicing post floods by bringing technicians from other parts of the country and two truck loads of spare parts.

Corporates have started contributing to the relief fund with information technology player Cognizant committing Rs.260 crore towards relief works and loan assistance to its employees and business partners.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi meanwhile visited Chennai, Cuddalore and Puducherry to see the situation.

Meanwhile, the weather department has forecast heavy rains in coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, due to low pressure in Bay of Bengal.