The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, today reviewed the situation in rain and flood-ravaged Chennai and assured Tamil Nadu government of all possible help.
During the meeting, Sinha took stock of the availability of foodgrains in Tamil Nadu and directed Ministries of Food, Agriculture, Health, Telecommunication and others to provide all required assistance to the state government to deal with the flood situation in Chennai and neraby areas.
NCMC also had a video conference with Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K Gnanadesikan who briefed it on the prevailing situation, official sources said.
The Cabinet Secretary assured the Chief Secretary that all required flood relief materials will be provided to the state government.
The Chief Secretary conveyed that as of now they have adequate arrangements and mechanisms to deal with requirements of drinking water, food, medicines, etc.
He also conveyed that the state government has mobilized a large number of fishermen boats for which services of personnel from Navy and Coast Guard would be required and the Ministry of Defence was asked to make suitable arrangements for this purpose.
Principal Resident Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Jasbir Singh Bajaj attended the meeting.
NDRF has already sent about 600 personnel and over 40 inflatable boats to be deployed in relief and rescue operations in Chennai.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrish too had a separate meeting with senior officials of the disaster management division and directed them to be in constant touch with Tamil Nadu government to provide necessary assistance.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he had spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and took stock of the flood situation in Chennai and its neighbouring areas.
Singh said he has also spoken to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and requested him to ensure all help from the armed forces.
The Home Minister also spoke to Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswamy too regarding the flood situation there and assured all help.
Officials said the Home Ministry is closely monitoring the flood situation in southern states.
The Home Minister called up Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu too and enquired about the flood situation in the state. Singh assured Naidu of all possible help from the Centre.
15 NDRF teams, comprising around 600 personnel, were
already deployed in Tamil Nadu for rescue operations, a Home Ministry statement said.
It has also been decided to move seven more teams, three from Bhubaneswar and four from Delhi, for deployment in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Four columns of army, comprising around 160 personnel, have already been deployed and another three columns (around 120 personnel) will move from Bangalore today.
Indian Air Force has already deployed two Mi-17 choppers at Tambaram and two Mi-17 are being moved from Tirupati to Chennai for relief and rescue operations.
Five Chetak helicopters are also operating from Tambaram. In addition, four Mi-17 (two at Bangalore and two at Nagpur) are on standby.
A detailed review of the situation relating to power supply, road, train and air connectivity was also undertaken. Power installations have not suffered any major damage. However, as a precautionary measure, power supply to some areas in the city has been discontinued, the statement said.
As Chennai airport is flooded and is not operational so far, it was decided that air fields of Arakkonam, Tirupati, Tambaram and Trichy be utilised for rescue and relief operations.
Ministries of Railways and Civil Aviation were asked to coordinate with the state government for safe and quick evacuation of stranded passengers.
Department of Telecom has been asked to rectify the damaged telecom towers at the earliest. In view of the IMD forecast that rains may continue in South Indian coast for 3-4 days, Departments and Ministries concerned with emergency response were instructed to be in a state of total readiness and be in constant touch with state government for such assistance as may be required.
Tamil Nadu government projected the need for motorised boats, which are being sent. National Disaster Management Authority will coordinate relief activities on behalf of government of India.
NDMA has round-the-clock four-digit toll-free Helpline Number 1078 for this purpose.
Today's NCMC meeting was attended by Secretaries from various key Ministries and nodal agencies, concerned with the emergency response (rescue and relief), such as Ministry of Home, NDMA, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Power, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Urban Development, Railways, Civil Aviation, Telecommunication, Information and Broadcasting, India Meteorological Department (IMD).
