The well marked low pressure area in the south-west Bay of Bengal has led to incessant rains, primarily affecting northern coast of Tamil Nadu and adjoining hinterland. The city of Chennai too has been adversely affected. Large-scale flooding of residential and general areas has severely affected the lives of people of Chennai.

Upon the request of the state administration, the Indian Navy’s well equipped team comprising of divers, swimmers, two inflatable Gemini crafts, diving and associated rescue gear and life jackets has already been deployed for flood relief and rescue operations. The team was positioned at municipality office at Tambaram on November 16 for deployment in affected areas under the overall guidance of Dr Rajaraman, Secretary Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu.

On November 17 the flood relief and rescue team had been moved to Vadakal village at Chengalpattu. The team is working in close consultation with RDO Tambaram and BDO Vadakal in rescuing stranded villagers and moving them to places of safety.

In addition, naval helicopter at naval base INS Rajali in Arakkonam too has been put on standby for utilisation by the state administration.

The Indian Air Force helicopters also responded to the task of carrying out rescue and relief operations in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Surplus water from lakes and nearby tanks had entered residential areas effecting more than 5,000 families. After evacuation of people, relief material containing food and drinking water was airdropped in the affected areas.