Parts of Chennai appeared submerged, where the IAF was rescuing people.
A huge sheet of water with houses and trees dotting it -- that was the aerial view of Chennai since morning today. The sea, it seemed, had invaded the city.
As the army and the air force were pressed into service to rescue the marooned people, the extent of the damage became clear from air to the NDTV team that accompanied them.
In the worst-hit areas, an entire floor appeared to have been submerged. Elsewhere, the water is waist deep. In many areas, people were seen gathered on rooftops to collect the food that was being distributed during the sortie.
"We first decide on the safety, women and children are a priority," said Wing Commander Saravanavel, who was in charge of a part of the operation. Apart from rescuing the people from the rooftops of high-rises and independent houses, the Air Force is also distributing food packets in the worst hit areas.
Initially, the flood had hit the low lying areas of the city following a week of torrential rains, but now, discharge from the Chembarambakkam lake has added to the problem.
Yesterday, the IAF was able to carry out only six sorties, rescuing around 20 people. Local authorities say there are at least 3000 people waiting to be rescued.
The authorities say the number could have been smaller, but many of the locals had initially refused to move out when the heavy rainfall warning was given, choosing instead to stay and protect their properties. Now, in many places, the locals have not been able to cook for two days and there is no drinking water.
The situation is expected to get worse, especially in Central Chennai, as the authorities release water from the Sembarabakkam reservoir.
With the work needed to be carried out on a war footing, the army is also using boats to rescue stranded people from many areas.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has announced Rs. 500 crore for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit areas, but locals say the damage may take a long time to undo.
Over the last 7 days, 79 people have died in the rain-related incidents in the state. On November 9, a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal crossed near the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, resulting in heavy rain and flood in many parts of the state. Cuddalore district, which lies 180 km from Chennai, was the worst hit.