Chennai residents battle scarcity, high prices

CHENNAI: The flood-ravaged city of Chennai is struggling to return to normalcy with partial restoration of telecommunication and train services, besides many roads also becoming fairly motorable even as waterlogging woes continued in several areas.

Torrential rains have left at least 245 people dead since October 1, according to Tamil Nadu government. The deluge destroyed crucial road and rail links, shutdown the airport, snapped power and telecom lines and left lakhs of people stranded. Waterlogging continued in many parts such as Kotturpuram, suburban Mudichur and Pallikkaranai. There were serpentine queues outside the few ATMs and petrol stations that were operating. Banks in the state will remain open today.

In its bid to link the southern parts of Chennai with the main city, Southern Railway announced operating services on the busy Egmore-Tamabaram stretch bringing much needed relief to the residents.

In many areas, including Tamabaram, telephone landline services were being restored even as mobile services also picked up pace. Many areas are still reeling from power suspension. Vegetables continued to remain costly.

Flights from Chennai Airport will commence from 6 am today (Sunday). Chief secretary K Gnanadesikan said 3,50,000 people have been rescued by multiple agencies which include army, police and the National Disaster Response Force.

He added that various departments of the state government had put in “extraordinary” efforts to ensure that every affected person was attended to. The state government has announced that bus travel will be free till December 8.

Regarding shortage of fuel supply, the problem arose as oil companies suffered due to non-availability of trucks, the government said, adding that steps have been taken to mobilise more trucks.