As Flood Crisis Abates In Chennai, 45 Bodies Brought To a Hospital

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Dec 04, 2015:  Chennai’s flood crisis has eased and water is receding from various parts of the city but some areas remain cut off after the worst rain in nearly 100 years. 45 bodies were brought to a government hospital today; 14 were patients from a private hospital who died allegedly after ventilators stopped working.

 

 

 
"The reason of deaths is unclear... investigation is underway," J Radhakrishnan, Tamil Nadu’s Health Secretary, told news agency ANI.
   
The other deaths were reportedly caused due to electrocution and other rain-related incidents.
   
Terming the situation in Chennai as "very alarming", Home Minister Rajnath Singh had, on Thursday, said that there had been 269 deaths in Tamil Nadu since the heavy rain and flooding began last month.
   
Rescue work has been hampered in some areas in the city due to live electricity wires from broken poles that have fallen into the water. The state electricity board suspended power as a precautionary measure.
   
The Army and the National Disaster Response Force have rescued more than 9,000 people so far. But many are still marooned.
   
Water levels in the Adyar and Cooum rivers have reduced after a sharp fall in water being released from Chembarapakkam, Pondi and Puzhal lakes.
   
Seven flights will be operated today by Air India and some private airlines from the Rajali Naval air station in Arakkonam near Chennai. The airport in Chennai remains shut after a flooded runway forced the cancellation of all flights on Tuesday. Train services will remain suspended till tomorrow, say officials.
   
Prices of milk, vegetables and food items have skyrocketed because of short supply. A one-litre packet of milk is being sold for Rs. 100 in some places. A bottle of mineral water costing Rs. 20 is being sold for Rs. 150. Vegetables like tomato and beans are being sold for Rs. 80 to Rs. 90 a kg.
   
Schools, colleges and offices in Chennai have been forced to close and exams have been postponed. Telecom companies have offered free talk-time to their customers. Mobile phone services have been partially restored.
   
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced immediate relief of Rs. 1,000 crore on Thusrday during his visit to Chennai. He took an aerial survey of the flood-hit city and said, "The government of India will stand by the people of Tamil Nadu in their hour of need."

 

Courtesy: NDTV