Coast Guard continues rescue, relief operations

Extensive Rescue and Relief operation by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued for the ninth day in the water logged areas in the city on Thursday.

Aerial Reccee was undertaken by the Coast Guard helicopter around Puzhal lake, Kottivakkam and Velacherry areas and airdropped about 5,915 Kgs of Relief material till Wednesday night. 

Coast Guard Region ( East) Chief Public Relations Officer said in addition, relief to stranded people at Rajaji and Kargilnagar at Tiruvottiyur was extended by its rescue teams. More than 3,440 marooned people have been rescued and evacuated to safer places so far, the CPRO said, adding that 35,000 food packets, 40,100 water bottles/pouches, 24,300 provisions, 4,528 bed sheets/blankets were distributed by the ICG rescue in the flood affected areas.

Mobile Medical Camps were conducted in coordination with specialist doctors from Jipmer at Rajaji Nagar, Kargil Nagar and Thiruvottiyur.

Approximately, 100-150 stranded people were provided medical aid and provided medicines, the CPRO added.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Thursday said that the rain relief to those affected will be provided from December 11 onwards. In a press interaction, Rangasamy said that the announced Rs.4000 to all the ration card holders would be remitted in their respective bank accounts. He said of the 3,10,000 ration card holders, three lakhs already had bank accounts and the other ten thousand needed to open a bank account as early as possible to avail the benefit. The Chief Minister also said that the compensation to the agriculturists would also be remitted in their respective bank accounts. 

With the objective of improving the flow of housing finance to the flood affected residents of Tamil Nadu, Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance will be extending housing loans up to Rs.10 lakh at a reduced concessional interest rate of 8.50% P.A (fixed) to help them reconstruct, repair, renovate and upgrade their existing dwelling. This special scheme is valid for disbursements made till June 30, 2016. The tenor of the loan will be in the range of 3-7 years.

Sundaram Home Finance Managing Director Srinivas Acharya said, “We have received concessional refinance facility from National Housing Bank (NHB). We are happy that NHB has quickly extended such a scheme at this critical juncture where finance is a dire need for rebuilding homes.” Earlier this week, the company had decided to waive off overdue interest levied for any delay in payment of EMIs for the months of November and December for those customers who had paid EMIs due up to October 2015.