In Pics: Army, IAF begin rescue operations to save sinking Chennai

Chennai, Nov 17: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army began relief and rescue operations in Chennai, currently reeling under flooding due to heaving downpour.

IAF Spokesperson Wg Cdr Rochelle D'Silva told OneIndia on Tuesday that two Mi17V5s and 2 ALH s are already on a standby for rescue operations.

See more images of rains in Tamil Nadu here

"Yesterday 22 people were winched up by two Cheetahs and brought to safer places. They included 12 infants and six women. We will continue with the operations today as well," Wg Cdr Rochelle said.

The helicopters took off from Tambaram and rescued people from Muduchuri Ashoknagar area which is completely submerged.

"Around 100 litres of water and 150 food packets prepared by the IAF were air dropped till last light. Air Force Station Tambaram is coordinating all operations," she added.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Defence official said that one column of Indian Army has been deployed from the Dakshin Bharat Area Headquarters in Chennai.

"The situation has slightly improved from last night. It will aid operations and we are arranging drinking water for distribution," the official said.

During Gujarat floods in June this year, the IAF had undertaken rescue missions with Mi-17V5 helicopters.

An official said that two columns of Army teams along with medical teams and boats have been deployed for the relief and rescue operation since last evening in Chennai and Kanchipuram districts.

"So far 450 people were evacuated and food packets have been distributed to the stranded people. Column-1 has been launched at Theradi Steet and Column-2 launched at Samathaperiyar Nagar near Mudichur and Tambaram," an official said.

In a related developed, the Indian Coast Guard too joined relief operations.

"Two helicopter sorties were undertaken this morning and approx 500 kg of relief material comprising of bread, biscuits and drinking water air dropped in and around Tambaram. We have deployed our assets at sea for rescue of fishermen and their boats in distress along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra coast," an ICG Spokesperson said.

Most parts in Chennai are inundated due to rains

The low pressure developing over the Bay of Bengal brought intermittent heavy showers here on Monday.

Death toll climbed to 70 even as rains continued in TN

Many areas were underwater and completely inaccessible to the public.

Indian Army, IAF began their rescue ops

he Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army began relief and rescue operations in Chennai, currently reeling under flooding due to heaving downpour.

Officers took helicopters to rescue people

The helicopters took off from Tambaram and rescued people from Muduchuri Ashoknagar area which is completely submerged.

Schools, college have been shut due to the rains in TN

Meanwhile, Ministry of Defence official said that one column of Indian Army has been deployed from the Dakshin Bharat Area Headquarters in Chennai.

Army deployed for rescue operation

The Army and Air Force have been deployed for rescuing stranded citizens in Kancheepuram district, where torrential rains have left residents marooned, even as rain water inundated a large part of suburban Tambaram locality in Chennai.

Chennai Chaos: No rain on Tuesday

There have been no fresh rains in the city on Tuesday, Nov 17. Personnel from the Madras 4 Regiment of the Indian Army have been pressed into service at Mudichur in Kacheepuram on the request of the district administration even as Air Force has conducted sorties to rescue citizens, Defence officials said.

Stranded citizens evacuated

Citizens were also being evacuated from Kotturpuram and nearby areas in the city, as the discharge from Chembarambakkam lake had resulted in Adyar river running in spate.

Tamil Nadu Rain: Death toll mounts to 71

As many as 71 deaths have been reported in various rain-related incidents, including electrocution and drowning, till Monday night.

OneIndia News