Services pick up pace, Army Chief undertakes survey

Flood-ravaged Chennai and its suburbs enjoyed further respite from rains today but residents battled scarcity of commodities and high prices while communication services and train services were partially restored.
But air services, suspended till tomorrow, may take two or three more days to resume. Only technical flights and ferry services were operated today.
However, intermittent rains and an overcast sky have left people worried. The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast light rains in the next 24 hours for the city and suburbs.
Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, S R Ramanan told reporters that heavy rains were possible in the coastal and southern districts of the state.

He has advised fishermen of southern coastal districts against venturing into sea for fishing.
At least 245 people have died in rain-related incidents since October one.

The worst-hit city and suburbs and Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts took a pounding on Tuesday when a large number of areas were flooded. The deluge destroyed crucial road and rail links, shutdown the airport, snapped power and telecom lines and left lakhs of people stranded.
In a big relief to the hapless residents, supply of
Milk and vegetables picked up pace today but there were complaints of scarcity in several places coupled with high prices for essentials.

Mobile phone and internet services were getting restored in a staggered manner in several parts of the city.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh undertook an
aerial survey of the worst flood hit areas here and assured that troops would continue to take up rescue efforts till such time it was needed by the State.
"Chief of Army Staff has assured the troops will continue rescue efforts till needed by the civil administration", an official release said.
He said more troops, equipment and medical teams would be made available "as required". The Army has rescued up 5,500 affected people and shifted them to safer places, the release said.

IAF, Southern Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer, Air Marshal, P N Pradhan said the IAF has deployed 13 helicopters, C17s and C130s for relief and rescue operations in Chennai, following the flooding.
Also, electricity supply which was withdrawn to almost all parts of the city is now getting restored in phases. Allaying fears, IOC today said there was "no fuel or LPG shortage" in the city and all efforts were being made to effectively dispense fuel. Water-logging hampered dispensing fuel, it was said.
State-run Aavin said it was taking adequate measures to step up milk supply and asserted that supplies would get fully restored by tomorrow.

Though flood waters have receded in major roads here, inundatation continued in several other areas hampering movement of vehicles and inconveniencing pedestrians.