Tamil Nadu floods: PM Modi speaks to Jaya; assures all support

With Tamil Nadu hit by floods, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and assured her all possible support and cooperation from the Centre.

"Spoke to Jayalalithaa ji on the flood situation in parts of Tamil Nadu. Assured all possible support & cooperation in this unfortunate hour," Modi tweeted.

Most areas of Chennai have been inundated after heavy rains lashed the state, severely disrupting flights, train and bus services and forcing postponement of half-yearly school exams.

The death toll in rain-related incidents touched 188.

Jayalalithaa told the prime minister that soon after the Central team visited the affected areas in the state, there has been "fresh spell of torrential rain".

"The chief minister informed the prime minister that the state machinery is fully geared to meet the challenge of the unprecedented torrential and extremely heavy rains which is the heaviest recorded in the past more than 100 years," a government release said.

The rainfall has battered the northern districts of Tamil Nadu especially Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore, she said.

Jayalalithaa informed Modi that State Disaster Response Force, fire and rescue personnel, coastal security group were deployed in affected places along with Revenue, Public Welfare department, Highways and Health officials to undertake rescue and relief operations, the release said.

The release said that the state government has requisitoned the services of Army, Navy and Air Force to assist in rescue and relief operations.

Modi assured all support to the state government and in rescue, relief and restoration operations.

Jayalalithaa thanked the prime minister for his concern and for promising all support to state government, the release said.