Tamil Nadu government keeps Army waiting, Chennai rescue operations suffer

CHENNAI: Lack of coordination between the government and military is hampering relief and rescue work in Chennai even as the flood-battered city has started taking its first steps towards normalcy.

Army personnel at Chennai HQ stood ready to move out with food and other essentials but were kept waiting as state government officials failed to tell them where to go.

Power is being restored, the airport opened and train services getting back on track, cellphones are ringing again and queues at petrol pumps and shops are shorter. Banks were working on Sunday to clear the backlog and most ATMs came back to life.

But, along with a semblance of normalcy, came ugly politics as politicians squabbled for credit.