Eleven NDRF teams rushed to Tamil Nadu

Government today rushed 11 teams comprising over 400 personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) responders to conduct relief and rescue operations in rain-hit Tamil Nadu.

These teams of the NDRF will also be carrying 38 inflatable rubber boats along with other necessary equipments to undertake quick operations in the state.

NDRF Director General O P Singh told PTI that the teams are being sent in from the Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu) and Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) bases of the force.

"These teams are being immediately deployed in Tamil Nadu. Apart from conducting rescue operations, these teams will assist local administration of various districts to distribute relief material, food items and medicines to the affected people," he said.

The North-East monsoon has continued to wreak havoc in Tamil Nadu with rains pounding the northern coastal districts and the death toll has climbed to 71 till now.

The NDRF DG said the teams will fan out as the situation in the state develops.

He said the force has also pre-positioned relief and rescue teams to undertake immediate action in the coastal areas of Rayalaseema and interiors of south Karnataka as the IMD has forecasted heavy rains in these areas in the next few days.