Navy boats sought to rescue marooned people: Jaya

Tamil Nadu Government Saturday requisitioned services of Navy boats to rescue people marooned in villages in the suburbs of the metropolis and constituted district, ward and village-level committees for relief works in 22 flood-hit districts following heavy rains.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, in a statement, said all boats available with the state Fisheries and Fire Service Departments have already been pressed into service.

Rainwater entered many houses in Madipakkam and Manapakkam villages in the suburbs of Chennai and Navy boats have been sought to rescue the marooned.

She announced setting up of district, village and ward-level committees to undertake the relief and rehabilation work in all the 22 flood-affected districts of the state.

The government's aim is to ensure that each and every affected family got the relief assistance, she said.

She announced extension of the solatium announced last month to ration card holders. Hitherto those possessing 'rice ration cards' were eligible for solatium of Rs1,000 in cash, 10 kilogrammes of rice, one litre of kerosene, a saree and a dhoti.

Chennai city, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts faced torrential rains yesterday and due to heavy inflows into Virugambakkam canal from Maduravoyal lake, the canal was overflowing in some places, she said adding instruction was given to divert water from the lake to Cooum river.

Despite heavy rainfall of 28 centimetres in Chennai in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am, most of the subways were functional and traffic flow was normal, she said.