Flights cancelled as floods strike Chennai airport

A car is submerged amidst water-logged houses in a rain-hit area of Chennai on November 17, 2015. - AFP

NEW DELHI: All flights into and out of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, have been cancelled following floods at the airport.

Airport director Deepak Shastri said floodwaters at the airport had reached the undercarriage of aircraft.

He was quoted as saying that flights would be unable to take off till the water level recedes.

Meanwhile, army and navy personnel were deployed early today in low-lying areas of Chennai where thousands of people are reportedly stranded in their homes due to the worsening floods. 

The authorities have intensified search and rescue operations.
 
According to officials, schools and colleges were forced to shut down and these premises were being used as relief centres.

Domestic and inter-state train services were crippled after water flooded rail tracks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.

Jayalalithaa late last night and assured her of central government assistance.
 
"Spoke to Jayalalithaa Ji on the flood situation in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Assured all possible support and cooperation in this unfortunate hour", tweeted the prime minister.
 
Chennai was hit by major floods two weeks ago. The Indian Meteorological Department reported that on Nov 16 the city received about 23.5 cm of rainfall compared to the highest rainfall of 14 cm recorded on Nov 7, 2005.

Nearly 120 people were killed during the first wave of the floods.
 
The meteorological department has forecast that Chennai and other coastal cities in Tamil Nadu were expected to receive heavy rain over the next four days. - Bernama