New Delhi: As Chennai had some relief from incessant rains on Friday, the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) intensified its rescue and rehabilitation operations in the rain and flood-battered city and its adjoining areas as it added 20 more teams for the job and rescued over 10,000 people till now. NDRF Director General O.P. Singh will also travel to the state to review the operations and effectively monitor these activities, agencies reported.
The DG said in the national capital that his teams are expected to rescue and reach out to more number of people as the water has receded in some places and power has been restored.
The NDRF has also activated helpline number at its control room in New Delhi — 011-24363260, 09711077372 and the Twitter handle '@NDR-FHQ'. “We have rescued more than 10,000 people till now. 20 more teams from various locations have been mobilised to Tamil Nadu and the total strength of the NDRF by tonight would be 50. We expect to have better results on Friday as things have improved and rains have stopped from Thursday night,” he said. An NDRF spoke-sperson said that by 1 pm a total of 10,589 peoplewere moved to safer places by the teams.
“Out of the 20 fresh teams being sent in, five have already taken position,” the spokesperson added.
The force already has 30 teams, with 40 personnel in each, working in the affected areas of Chennai and adjoining Puducherry. The NDRF has also pressed 131 inflatable and other kinds of boats and numerous sets of buoys and life jackets with the rescue and relief teams.
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