Chennai Floods Live: PM Modi meets CM Jayalalithaa, announces Rs 1000 crore assistance

Meanwhile, in Puri

International Sand Art Festival -2015 being held in Puri (Odisha) pic.twitter.com/SCan6OYu4j

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Cabinet secy chairs meet on Chennai floods

ANI reported that Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha chaired a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Thursday to discuss the flood situation in Tamil Nadu. 

Cabinet Secy asked concerned Ministries to provide assistance in coordinated manner to State Govt, & ensure rescue & evacuation is priority.

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Congress demand Tamil Nadu floods to be declared national disaster

The Congress on Thursday expressed its solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu over the loss of 269 lives in floods caused by heavy rains in the state and demanded that the central government declare it a “national disaster for all affected regions of east coast”.

Talking to reporters here, Congress spokesperson Rajeev Gowda also accused the central government of “lack of attention” to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Air India sends flight to evactuate passengers from TN

A press statement by Air India quoted their spokesperson as saying, “A special Air India flight A320, all economy aircraft from Hyderabad took-off for Arakkonam Naval Base to evacuate stranded passengers at 17.30 hrs today. The flight will evacuate 120 passengers stranded in Tamil Nadu.”

Here’s a video of PM Modi talking about the flood situation in Chennai

WATCH: PM Narendra Modi announces additional financial aid worth 1000 crore rupees for #chennaifloods https://t.co/mqs61H0mAS

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

Rajnath Singh briefs both Houses in Parliament 

In view of the unexpected flood fury, the states have also apealed for financial packages from the Centre.  

“On 24 October, we received a memorandum from the Tamil Nadu government for a financial assistance of Rs 8,481 crore. The Inter Ministerial Central Team of the government of India has toured Tamil Nadu between 25-29 November to assess the damage in the state. The team will submit its report within a week. The National Executive Committee will examine the report and present it to the High Level Committee as per procedure,” the Union home minister said.  

“In this regard, I would like to say that the Centre has already granted Rs 940.42 crore to Tamil Nadu in the fiscal year 2015-16. Within this Rs 522 crore has been allocated as Special Plan Assistance. In addition to this amount, an amount of Rs 133.795 crore has been allocated to the SDRF on 23 November 2015. Last week, I had myself spoken to the Tamil Nadu chief minister and chief secretary. The Centre is ready for any kind of assistance they might ask for. I have also spoken to the Puducherry chief minister and we are trying to offer all possible to the state."

“I even spoke to the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. The state has given an interim memorandum of Rs 1,000 crore to the Centre. Very soon a Central team will visist the state for assessemnt of the damage. Apart from this, in 2015-16, a sum of Rs 330 crore was made available for Andhra Pradesh. To tackle with the drought of 2014-15, another sum of Rs 181.63 crore has been allocated to Andhra Pradesh from the SDRF funds in 2015-16,” Singh said.

Rajnath Singh briefs Parliament on transport situation in Chennai

The Centre is also taking care of the railway traffic that has been badly hit due to the ongoing floods.

“Till yesterday, 37 trains were cancelled. This morning the Basin Bridge Yard was filled with 1-1.5 feet of water throwing the Chennai station out of gear. The railways are trying to figure the nearest vantage point from Chennai,” he said.  

There is no respite for the Chennai airport as well with the facility being closed till 6 December. “Around 1,200-1,500 passengers were evacuated from the Chennai airport. Efforts are on to rescue the remaining 300 passengers today,” Singh said.

Rajnath Singh briefs both Houses in Parliament

Briefing both Houses in Parliament, the Union home minister said, “A total of 944 personnel with 102 boats and two columns of the army comprising of 124 personnel are engaged in relief and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu. Till now the state government and the NDRF teams have taken 40,432 to safety."

Giving an udate on the situation in Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, he said, “In Puducherry, two NDRF teams of 70 personnel equipped with eight boats have been deployed. In Andhra Pradesh, six NDRF teams comprising of 211 personnel with 21 boats are on the ground for rescue and relief operations. The army has deployed seven columns comprising of 434 personnel for relief and rescue operations. Seven additional army colums will be airlifted from Hyderabad today. We are also trying to airlift four columns from Delhi today."

“The Indian Navy is playing its role in this time of disaster. Twelve boats and 255 naval personnel are deployed for rescue and relief operations. Other then this, INS Arihant, 20 divers, three boats and one medical team and one helicopter are being sent to Chenni from Vizag. The IAF has contributed immensely in this whole operation. The IAF has airlifted 14 NDRF teams today. As of two army columns are being airlifted. The IAF has so far conducted 19 sorties and saved 22 people,” Singh said.

Rajnath Singh informs parliament about current flood situation

Home Minister Rajnath Singh informed both houses of parliament about the current flood situation in the three southern states of Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Giving details of casualties, Singh said, so far 269 people have lost their lives in Tamil Nadu, while 2 and 54 people have lost their lives in Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.

“In this hour of distress, the Center is committed to stand behind all the affected states and assist them in all possible manners,” he added.

PM Modi conducts aerial survey of flood affected areas

PM Modi conducts aerial survey of flood affected areas #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/cJTJDphWS0

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

PM Modi announces 1000 crore assistance to Tamil Nadu

One thousand crore assistance to Tamil Nadu for #ChennaiFloods -PM Modi

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Govt of India stands by the people of Tamil Nadu in hour of need: PM Modi #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/PXsz9i9XO7

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Govt of India stands by the people of Tamil Nadu in hour of need: PM Modi #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/PXsz9i9XO7

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

This is over and above the Rs 940 crore which was released earlier: PM Narendra Modi #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/5TJeLqhJLE

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

People rescued from flood affected areas brought to Begumpet Airport

People rescued from #ChennaiFloods affected areas brought to Begumpet Airport (Hyderabad) by IAF aircraft C-17 pic.twitter.com/VzPbNeBLax

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Nitish Kumar sends Rs 5 crore for relief and rehabilitation in Tamil Nadu

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday sent Rs 5 crore to Tamil Nadu for relief and rehabilitation work in the southern state battered by incessant rains.

Kumar sent the cheque to his Tamil Nadu counterpart Jayalalithaa from the Chief Minister’s Relief fund for relief and rehabilitation of victims of the rains, an official statement said in Patna.

Kumar expressed deep sorrow over loss of lives and property due to the rains in Tamil Nadu.

Relief work continues in rain-battered Puducherry

Nearly 400 houses suffered damages in the torrential rainfalls that battered Puducherry where rescue operations continued and people were moved to relief centres as water inundated several parts of the city.

Speaking about the situation in the Union Territory, District Collector D Manikandan said a total of 383 houses had been damaged in the rains. Revenue and other department staff had evacuated more than 1000 rain-hit people to relief centres while more than two lakh food packets had been distributed since last two days.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also pressed into service its two teams in the region.

PM Modi reaches INS Adyar in Chennai, meets CM J Jayalalithaa, reports ANI

PM Modi reaches INS Adyar in Chennai, meets CM J Jayalalithaa #ChennaiFloods

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Coastal areas badly hit: MeT Department

There is light rainfall since morning, coastal areas badly hit-LS Rathore,MeT Dept #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/Hoznvd3dlc

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

There is heavy rain in Pondicherry and Nagapattinam-LS Rathore,MeT Dept

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

We cannot presume that Chennai is now out of danger,but central Tamil Nadu coast is more vulnerable-LS Rathore,MeT Dept #ChennaiFloods

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at INS Rajali in Arakkonam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at INS Rajali in Arakkonam. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/wm4bc5jdEv

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Air India to operate special flight to Arrakonam Naval Air Station from Hyderabad, reports PTI

Air India to operate special flight to Arrakonam Naval Air Station from Hyderabad to bring back stranded passengers: AI spokesperson.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2015

MET raises alert

MET predicts further rainfall in Chennai and Pondicherry, according to TV reports.

IAF choppers drop food packets

WATCH: IAF chopper drops food packets for stranded locals #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/yaJBwzEhfc

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Our naval teams, Airavat, our tanker deployed there with helicopters, divers, distributing food packets-RK Dhowan pic.twitter.com/nA2ykCSGqg

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Carried out innovative survey of the areas using UAVs where we could then assist the state admin present-Indian Navy chief Admiral RK Dhowan

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

INS Rajali has been activated & all relief material as well as civil flights are operating from our corner-Indian Navy chief Admiral Dhowan

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Jayalalithaa conducts aerial survey of flood-hit areas, reports PTI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Chennai and its suburbs. She later took stock of the situation with senior officials.

The Chief Minister wanted to undertake the exercise on Wednesday, but could not do so because of bad weather and the inability expressed by the pilots.

IAF drops food packets for stranded residents

WATCH: 1 food packet lands on rooftop, woman signals to IAF chopper to not drop more saying its sufficient pic.twitter.com/5d0H0DTY05

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2015

INS Airavat reaches Chennai

INS Airavat is on its way from Vizag with diving teams and boats, has now reached Chennai, ANI reports. Meanwhile, the Met department said after 48 hours, even though there is reduction in intensity of rainfall but there will not be a total secession of rainfall for next 5-6 days.

INS Airavat on its way from Vizag with diving teams and boats, has now reached Chennai. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/lVKGOwTKZT

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

After 48 hours, though there is reduction in intensity of rainfall but we don't see total secession of rainfall for next 5-6 days-IMD

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Death toll due to floods in Tamil Nadu 269: Rajnath’s statement in Lok Sabha

TV reports quoted Union Home Ministry and said that the death toll in the state of Tamil Nadu has risen to 269.

“Chennai has become an island. About 40% of the mobile and telephone connections are not working due to Chennai floods. Met has predicted heavy rainfall for the next 2-3 days. This rainfall has broken the record of past 100 years,” Rajnath Singh said in his address to the Lok Sabha on Thursday. 

The death toll so far is 269-Rajnath Singh in LS on #ChennaiFloods

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

About 40% of the mobile and telephone connections are not working due to #ChennaiFloods -Rajnath Singh in LS

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2015

Modi leaves for Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted today saying he is leaving to visit Chennai after the devastating floods hit the city and the adjoining areas. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has airlifted 200 stranded passengers from flood-hit Chennai and flown them to Hyderabad, an IAF official said. Four transport aircraft took off from Rajali Naval air station near Arakonam, about 70 km from Chennai.

The aircraft will land at the Air Force Station in Begumpet on Thursday afternoon, an official from the Air Force Station said.

He said the passengers who were stranded at the bus and railway stations had been shifted to the Rajali Naval air station and from there, they were being airlifted to Hyderabad.

Leaving for Chennai to take stock of the situation arising due to the devastating floods.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2015

Air India releases statement on flights to and from Chennai:

‘Air India will honour and accept any ticket issued by it from/to Chennai for travel from/to nearest airport like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam, Kozhikode, Coimbatore, Trichy,  Madurai, Vijayawada, Tirupati till 15 December, 2015  without any additional charge’

NDRF ops to intensify

NDRF Director General O P Singh said the force will intensify its operations in the affected areas from today as more of its men are being deployed on the ground. He said over 100 boats, 22 divers, 445 life jackets and 328 buoys have been pressed in by the force and more such rescue items are being dispatched.

The force has already tasked two DIG rank officers and a Commandant in Chennai to oversee operations in the affected areas.

A Navy official involved in the rescue efforts said that most of the places are flooded and lot of efforts are going on both on the ground and by air.

“An aircraft is going to evict people stranded at the civil airport. So we are going to establish an air bridge between Meenambakam civil airport at Chennai and Arakkonam. So that maximum people will be transferred to Arakkonam. And thereafter they will be thrown out,” the official said. — PTI

Students and migrant workers among worst hit

Surviving on biscuits for the last two days and sleeping on the floor of railway stations, construction worker Saleem is waiting for a train to take him to his hometown in West Bengal.

People rendered homeless have been forced to seek shelter in far-away hotels or homes of relatives, while the poor and needy are battling against the elements at railway stations or crowded rescue camps.

Besides poor migrants, students of colleges and other institutions have been been left stranded at stations and airports.

The state administration has announced a one month holiday but the break from work is causing them more stress. — PTI

Facebook activates Safety Check tool for Chennai flooding

For residents of Chennai, Facebook has activated the Safety Check tool to let family and friends know you are safe. If you’re in Chennai and want to mark yourself or your friends safe by using the tool, you can click here.  

Safety Check was originally launched in October 2014 and was first activated during the Nepal earthquake in April.  

Overflowing lakes inundate new areas in the city

Rains abated in Chennai giving relief to people tormented by the heavy downpour of the last three days but excessive discharge of water on Wednesday night from Chembarambakkam lake on the outskirts flooded new areas of the city threatening to uproot people from their homes.

Teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), Army, Navy and commandos of police and fire service personnel were deployed for rescue and relief works in the worst-affected areas of Kotturpuram, Jafferkhanpet and Nandanam on the banks of the Adyar river that has been in spate for the last two days.

For the first time in over 40 years, the water has risen rapidly on the river breaching the road and the Maraimalai Adigal bridge in Saidapet cutting the arterial Anna Salai (Mount Road), rendering it out of bounds for motorists.

Though there has been no rain since last night, the fresh flooding of the streets in the heart of the city in areas like Kodambakkam and T Nagar and Ashok Nagar has been caused by the release of an estimated 30,000 cusecs of water from the Chembarambakkam lake, one of city’s source of drinking water.

The reservoir has been surplussing because of heavy inflow due to rains in the catchment area.

— PTI

The rich should feel guilty: Kamal Haasan sends distress message from Chennai

Kamal Haasan, who lives on the posh Eldams Road in Teynampet area, is relatively sheltered and safe from the deluge. But many of his friends and relatives are hugely affected.

Speaking exclusively from his residence in Chennai, Kamal Haasan in an interview with Firstpost said, “To describe the situation as calamitous would be an understatement. If this can happen in Chennai can you imagine the plight of the rest of Tamil Nadu?”

“It’s a nightmare for the poor and the middle class. The rich should feel guilty. I  am not so rich and yet I feel guilty when I look outside my window and see how people in my city are suffering,” the actor adds. He also lashed out at the powers-that-be for neglecting their civic duties. “The entire system has collapsed. It will take Chennai months to get back to normal even when the rains stop. Where is all of the taxpayer’s money going? I don’t take black money. I pay my taxes. What is being done for me and my people with my hard-earned money?”

Jayalalithaa to conduct aerial survey

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to make aerial survey of flood-hit Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, reports PTI. 

Chennai Airport to be shut till 6 December

In other bad news for Chennai, Airport Authority of India has told PTI that Chennai airport will be shut till Sunday,6 December. 

This is very bad news for travellers stuck in the airport. 

Chennai airport to remain shut till December 6: AAI:

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 2, 2015

Chennai floods a full blown effect of climate change? 

Even as Chennai is reeling under the floods that caused chaos in the city, experts say that this is what global warming looks like, and this is the havoc it causes. 

“We are now experiencing the full blown impacts of climate change. The extreme rainfalls that Chennai is experiencing is a direct outcome of our ever warming planet,” said Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director General of Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) told PTI.  

“The global average temperature has increased by less than 1 degrees. Think what will happen at 2 degree temperature increase,” Bhushan said.

Harjeet Singh of Action Aid India, said, “Climate change has always been a contributing factor. We cannot say that it is 100 per cent because of climate change. Here we are talking about the scale of destruction and such rains which have happened after 100 years.”

Singh also made the Chennai rain crisis a part of his presentation.

“If we look at the disasters in the last five years, from Kashmir to Uttarkahand, if we see the trend, it becomes clear that it is because of climate change,” he said.

First person account of Chennai floods 

Our News Editor, Sports Pulasta Dhar was in Chennai for covering an ISL match. He is now stranded in the city given the flood situation. However, he was able to step out on the streets and gives us a first person account of the plight of Chennai residents. 

“Not until I saw two mothers beating their chests and crying in agony in Adyar, a residential area in South Chennai, did the full force of the calamity hit me. Their children were reportedly swept away in the current of the overflowing Adyar river which passes through the city,” he writes. 

Read his entire account here .

PM Modi takes stock of TN flood situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took stock of the flood situation in Tamil Nadu and discussed it with his cabinet colleagues, including the Home and Finance Ministers.

“I want to inform the House that today morning the Prime Minister met the Home Minister, Finance Minister and myself and discussed the flood conditions in Tamil Nadu. We exchanged information on the situation,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in the Lok Sabha.

Modi on Tuesday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and assured her all possible support and cooperation from the Centre, he said.

Naidu further said that Home Minister Rajnath Singh would chair a high-level meeting to ensure relief to the people of Tamil Nadu.

“The Home Minister is going to hold a high-level meeting… They are trying to coordinate with various agencies on relief operations. 400 passengers are stranded… NDRF team is there,” Naidu said.

Karnataka government sanctions Rs 5 crore for TN

Deeply pained to see the havoc caused by #ChennaiFloods. My prayers with people of Tamil Nadu.

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) December 2, 2015

Our govt has sanctioned Rs.5 crore along medicines and relief items. Have asked Chief Secy to coordinate with TN. #ChennaiFloods

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) December 2, 2015

Meanwhile, NDRF teams leave for Tamil Nadu

NDRF teams leave for Tamil Nadu from Delhi with relief material. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/WkrDzWkr4S

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

NDRF teams leave for Tamil Nadu from Delhi with relief material. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/WkrDzWkr4S

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

A crowd sourced list of shelters

Go to http://chennairains.org/ for a list of places offering shelter.

Check out this website keeping a track of flooded streets

For those in Chennai planning to step out and help others or even reach out to friends and relatives, checkout the link below: 

http://osm-in.github.io/flood-map/chennai.html#11/13.0000/80.2000/-30

Here you can keep a track of flooded streets across the city

Death toll in Tamil Nadu upto 197

Even as the media is concentrating on the plight of Chennai, we are hardly aware of what is happening in the other parts of Tamil Nadu. It is likely that the surrounding areas of Chennai and especially the coastal districts are hit as well. 

The only piece of information we have is from Ibnlive, which reports that the death toll from the floods across the state is 197.

Telecom companies pitch in to help those stranded in Chennai floods

Airtel has offered free talktime and data usage for its customers, meanwhile BSNL has declared that it won’t charge its customers for one week. 

But it may not be of much help given the fact that phone lines are down, but good gesture in any case. 

Telecom major Airtel offers talktime credits & data extensions to customers affected by #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/UAiSqC7szQ

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 2, 2015

Due to #ChennaiFloods, there will be no charges on BSNL bills for one week in Chennai starting today: RS Prasad, Telecom Min

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

We have decided that in case of non payment of BSNL bill, there shall be no disconnection of the line, says RS Prasad #ChennaiFloods

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

Kanimozhi brings up Chennai floods in the Rajya Sabha

Meanwhile up north in New Delhi, DMK MP Kanimozhi brings up Chennai floods in the Rajya Sabha. She requests the Centre for funds to help rescue measures. 

She however steered clear of commenting on the AIADMK government’s measures. 

Media asks us whether Tamil Nadu govt has failed, this is not time for talking about failures, its time to help all: Kanimozhi (DMK) in RS

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

Was earlier decided relief measures will be provided through Tirupati airport but now thats closed, we need to find alternatives: Kanimozhi

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

Request GoI to send another High Level delegation to assess the situation, says Kanimozhi in RS #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/yaApden5T3

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

Looks like it has started pouring again

It has started pouring in #Chennai again...

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) December 2, 2015

In case you have seen it, those in need of help can tweet with these hashtags

Watch: How people formed a human chain to save a man from drowning

Army, Navy teams come to the rescue

Army and navy came to the rescue of hundreds of people severely hit by heavy rains in Chennai that have left several parts of the city submerged

Besides rushing in with rescue teams, the armed forces have also launched UAVs to get an assessment of the situation

On being requisitioned by the state government, two columns of army’s flood rescue and relief teams comprising troops from the Garrison Infantry Battalion and Engineer elements were activated and have begun their operations in Tambaram, Mudichur, Manipakam, Guduvancheri and Urapakkam areas of Chennai since last evening

The rescue teams have till 11 am on Wednesday succeeded in rescuing and bringing over 50 marooned civilians to safety in Gudvancheri and Mudichur. A third army rescue column was put into service on Wednesday morning. Another column is being rushed in from Bangalore by road, an army statement said

Meanwhile, the navy too has chipped in with three teams. One team comprising 20 sailors (five divers and 15 good swimmers) with Gemini boats and associated gears were deployed last night to Gandhi Nagar near Adyar bridge. Team returned on Wednesday after rescuing 15 stranded personnel

Team two consisting of one officer, 16 sailors (four divers and 12 good swimmers), two Geminis and 250 food packets was deputed today morning at RDO Office, Tambaram upon the state government’s request. The team was directed to report to Secretary Tourism designated as Monitoring Officer, navy sources said

Team three from Rajali consisting of two officers, 50 sailors and 200 packets was deployed on Wednesday to RDO Tambaram office for central flood relief operation thereafter. 

PTI

What led to the flood situation in Chennai

Chennai and several coastal areas of the state were today marooned in flood waters following incessant heavy rains that pounded the city and the neighbouring districts cutting the state capital from rail and road links even as the airport was shutdown for the day.

Through the heavy rains that lashed the city and the suburbs and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore for more than a day yesterday have shown a let up since this morning, a continuous drizzle under overcast skies spelled further trouble for citizens.

Here’s a photo put up by the IMD of the weather situation in Chennai and coastal regions of Tamil Nadu

Boats, choppers deployed for rescue ops, says Naval officer

We have deployed helicopters and boats in several parts for relief and rescue measures:Alok Bhatnagar #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/hZJqf2Zq6v

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

Slum people the worst affected?

The Adyar river is over flowing, and those worst affected by it are people from the slums on its banks. While some of them have been evacuated, their homes are in terrible condition. 

Here are some photos by Pulasta Dhar, News Editor, Sports, Firstpost. 

If rivers are flooded, canals are no match. Deserted slums. #chennairains pic.twitter.com/5NJVN5vkkQ

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) December 2, 2015

People waiting for a rescue operation to happen. Anguished cries of two mothers pierce through the siren. #chennai pic.twitter.com/u778SSYcsU

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) December 2, 2015

Aadayar river, flooded. Police, army in discussion over rescue operation. Some ppl stranded near Chinamalai #Chennai pic.twitter.com/WjEKY4U5w9

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) December 2, 2015

This is the situation in SM Nagar, where 1500 slum dwellers' houses are knee-deep in water. #chennai pic.twitter.com/mgBKgoK4IN

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) December 2, 2015

In SM Nagar #Chennai, slum dwellers asking police for food & place to sleep. Police tells me "relief is coming" pic.twitter.com/pZmHRQOdVz

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) December 2, 2015

Chennai is pretty much marooned

While the first thought for those in the face of the disaster unfolding in Chennai will be to move to a safer place, it is pretty much impossible. Flights and trains have been cancelled and bus services too are down since leading to the city are under water. 

Here are some images we got on Twitter that gives us an idea of how bad it is:

Southern railway helpline numbers: Ministry of Railways #ChennaiFloods #chennairains pic.twitter.com/57V3qMyNpg

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 2, 2015

Good gesture from Ola, but will it work?

Ola has been trying to help people by tweeting out numbers to get people home safe. But as a Chennai resident pointed out to Times Now is that while the bus services and auto services have stopped, booking an Ola is not feasible since mobile phone networks and landlines are down as well. 

#Chennai If you're stuck in rain and need assistance please contact us at 04428294121. We'll do our best to get you home safe. RT#StaySafe

— Ola (@Olacabs) December 1, 2015

Please note the no. shared is that of the fire control dept. we're working closely with them and pooling in all our resources to help out.

— Ola (@Olacabs) December 1, 2015

Hospitals in Chennai flooded as well

The situation in Chennai, as we can gather from the photos we see online and on television, seems pretty dire. Several hundreds of people are stranded at home without food and water. While medical help will be something of extreme need in the next few days, this tweet from DNA shows how scary the situation really is. 

Waist-high water inside the Global Hospital in Chennai #ChennaiFloods
Live Updates - https://t.co/nHyobw5JFf pic.twitter.com/1MuBrEW9ld

— DNA (@dna) December 2, 2015

List of helpline numbers for Chennai floods

Helpline for those affected in #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/FNYp2LP41c

— Phil Benson (@Shrewdy66) December 2, 2015

Chennai floods not because of climate change, says Prakash Javadekar

Even as the government is trying to cope with the emergency situation in Chennai, Prakash Javadekar has said this natural calamity was not because of climate change. 

ANI quoted the Union environment minister as saying, “What has happened in Chennai over last ten days is absolutely a very serious situation, this can’t be directly attributed to climate change; it is a natural calamity, but this calamity needs to be tackled effectivel.”

Floods, like in Chennai difficult to preditc, says MoS PMO    

Heavy rains have been forecast in Tamil Nadu, but floods as a result of the downpour is difficult to predict as it depends on a variety of reasons, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the downpour in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh was forecast 72 hours in advance.
     
But floods depend on local reasons, including the flow of water and encroachments blocking its outflow, he said, adding that such circumstances are difficult to predict.
     
Responding to supplementaries, he said every 10 years, such heavy rains occur in certain regions and in the past two years, it has occurred in places like Jammu and Kashmir too.
     
He said the North Eastern Space Application Centre has developed a flood-warning system as a research and development project in Assam.

List of verified hospitals for medical emergencies in Chennai

#ChennaiFloods List of verified doctors & hospitals available to help. Updated every hour. Please RT. #ChennaiRains https://t.co/CZsblNWpTo

— Practo (@Practo) December 2, 2015

NDMA put out weather warning on their website

Given the chaos that has ensued after the heavy rains in Chennai, the National Disaster Management Authority has given put out a warning on its website. 

The day to day weather updates predicts more grim days for Chennaiites: 

02 December 2015♦ Heavy to very heavy rain would occur at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over northcoastal Tamilnadu & Pudducherry and south Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rain would occur at isolated places over southcoastal & interior Tamilnadu & Pudducherry, Rayalaseema and at isolated heavy over Kerala and Lakshadweep.

03 December 2015:♦ Heavy to very heavy rain would occur at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over northcoastal Tamilnadu & Pudducherry and south Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rain would occur at isolated places over southcoastal & interior Tamilnadu & Pudducherry, Rayalaseema and at isolated heavy over Kerala and Lakshadweep.

04 December 2015:♦ Heavy rain would occur at a few places with very heavy at isolated places over Tamilnadu & Pudducherry. Heavy rain at isolated places would occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

05 December 2015:♦ Heavy to very heavy rain would occur at isolated places over Tamilnadu & Pudducherry and heavy over Lakshadweep and Kerala.

06 December 2015:♦ Heavy rain would occur at isolated places over Tamilnadu & Pudducherry, Kerala and Lakshadweep.

Photos online show devastation caused by Chennai floods 

Kotturpuram resident Seetha Ratnakar posted these photos on Facebook

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Chennai is a big sheet of water. We have no hopes of power, provisions for a few days but we decided to move up floor by floor and share resources

Posted by Seetha Ratnakar on  Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Will take necessary steps, says Venkaiah Naidu

We are very concerned and we are with the people; we will take necessary steps to help them: Venkaiah Naidu in LS #ChennaiFloods

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

Home Minister Rajnath Singh calls for meet

HM Rajnath Singh will hold a meeting on #ChennaiFloods, the rescue and relief measures: Venkaiah Naidu in LS

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2015

The Hindu not published for the first time since inception

Rains, flood or earthquake — news organisations are known to run no matter what calamity hits a city. But the Chennai rains are so bad this time that The Hindu, Chennai’s most popular newspaper did not publish an edition today, for the first time since it was started. 

The paper’s publisher N Murali told BBC , “Our Maraimalainagar township was not accessible for the people who run the plant. So, none of our staff could reach the plant. It is located about 30kms (18 miles) from the city in Maraimalainagar.”

Navy boat INS Airavat arrives in Chennai

CNN-IBN reported, INS Airavat, a navy boat, has arrvied in Chennai to help speed up rescue operations. 

Naval Warship INS Airavat carrying Relief Material moved to flood hit #Chennai from Visakhapatnam.#ChennaiFlood pic.twitter.com/IEF6P1Hult

— Lilly लिल्ली ಲಿಲ್ಲಿ 🇮🇳 (@LillyMaryPinto) December 2, 2015

People take to Twitter in the face of calamity

Twitter has been abuzz with updates on the Chennai floods. Everyone from citizens to celebrities are tweeting out emergency numbers for those in need of help. 

It is also inundated with tweets of people requesting for help — boats, food stuff — since most people are stuck at home without food, electricity or transport. 

Oh god, please keep my Chennai and its people safe from the floods

— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 1, 2015