Chennai Flood: Water recedes, focus on rehabilitation

Chennai, Dec 7: With water receding in most parts of this rain-battered city and its suburbs, the focus is now on clearing the various areas of the waste and muck left behind along with rehabilitation of affected people.

Scores of workers have been deployed by the Corporation of Chennai and other civic bodies to clear debris from the affected parts. The state government has brought in workers from other districts for this purpose.

The unprecedented deluge has caused unforeseen havoc and devastation to property, with flooded houses stinking after the water receded.

Waste and sludge are deposited in many places such as the worst-affected Kotturpuram. Water in suburban areas like Mudichur is yet to completely recede though bright sunshine on Monday morning brought hope to the people.

Various parts of the city had witnessed sharp showers on Sunday also. Milk supply, which had remained erratic last week, was being restored and officials announced helpline numbers to file complaints in case the essential commodity was sold for exorbitant rates, which was witnessed last week.

The government deployed a battery of medics to distribute preventive medicine for flood victims.

They said that medicines were being distributed to people mainly to safeguard them against diarrhoea and other water-borne infections. Train and bus services were slowly returning to normal even as the recently launched Metro Rail continued enjoying good footfall.

Airlines also started operating flights from Chennai airport. Southern Railway announced cancellation of Monday's 10 outbound inter and intra-state trains to various destinations, including Delhi and Mumbai due to "operational reasons".

Educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallore remained closed even as the private sector, including IT services, were either partially closed down or asked their employees to work from home.

Cuddalore, which had received heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, witnessed severe inundation in various parts, prompting deployment of Army for rescue operations.

PTI