The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met here today under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Shri PK Sinha to discuss the current flood situation in Tamil Nadu.
The Cabinet Secretary took a detailed review of the situation including the current rescue and relief measures being undertaken by the State Government and Central assistance provided for the same.
Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu conveyed that as of now they have adequate arrangements and mechanisms to deal with requirements of drinking water, food, medicines, etc. He also conveyed that the State Government has mobilized a large number of fishermen boats for which services of personnel from Navy and Coast Guard would be required. Ministry of Defence was advised to make suitable arrangements for this purpose.
15 NDRF Teams are already deployed in Tamil Nadu for rescue operations. It has also been decided to move 7 more teams, 3 from Bhubaneswar and 4 from Delhi for deployment in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. 4 Columns of Army are also already deployed and another 3 columns will move from Bangalore today.
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Indian Air Force has already deployed 2 MI-17 choppers at Tambaram and 02 MI-17 are being moved from Tirupati to Chennai for relief/rescue operations. 05 Chetak Helicopters are also operating from Tambaram. In addition, 04 MI-17 (02 at Bangalore and 02 at Nagpur) are on standby. A detailed review of the situation related to Power supply, Road, Train and Air connectivity was also undertaken. Power installations have not suffered any major damage. However, as a precautionary measure, power supply to some areas in the city has been discontinued.
As Chennai Airport is flooded and is not operational so far, it was decided that air fields of Arakkonam, Tirupati, Tambaram and Trichy be utilized for rescue and relief operations. Ministries of Railways and Civil Aviation were asked to coordinate with the State Government for safe and quick evacuation of stranded passengers. Department of Telecom has been asked to rectify the damaged telecom towers at the earliest.
In view of the IMD forecast that the rains may continue in South Indian coast for 3 – 4 days, Departments and Ministries concerned with Emergency Response were instructed to be in state of total readiness and be in constant touch with State Government for such assistance as may be required. The State Government projected the need for motorized boats also which are being sent. National Disaster Management Authority will coordinate the relief activities on behalf of Government of India. National Disaster Management Authority has round the clock four digits Toll Free Helpline Number 1078 for this purpose.
The meeting was attended by Secretaries from various key Ministries/Nodal agencies, concerned with the emergency response (rescue and relief), such as Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Power, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Urban Development, Railways, Civil Aviation, Telecommunication, Information & Broadcasting, India Meteorological Department (IMD). Chief Secretary and Relief Commissioner, Tamil Nadu participated in the meeting through Video Conference.
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