Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Chennai on Thursday to take stock of the devastating situation caused by torrential rainfall in the city.

"Leaving for Chennai to take stock of the situation arising due to the devastating floods: PM @narendramodi," PMO India tweeted.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is expected to undertake an aerial survey of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts on Thursday.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted more torrential rain in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai, where the rain water has submerged houses and roads, washed away railway tracks and killed at least 269 people, while displacing thousands.

The water level in Chennai has started to recede.

Nearly 35 lakes in and around the city were earlier reported to have crossed the danger mark. The Adyar River that runs through the city is also overflowing after water from a reservoir was released into it.

The situation seems grim as the Met department has said that the next 48 hours in Chennai and suburbs is "very crucial".

Thousands of people have been stranded as the rain water has flooded their homes. The India Army and Navy have been deployed, who are working along with the National/State Response Force, to rescue people to safer places.

Till Tuesday evening, as many as 72,119 people were shifted to 432 relief camps in Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chennai districts.

The Eastern Naval Command sent Indian Navy's INS Airavat ship to Chennai with medical equipment, medicines, doctors, food, 20 divers and swimmers, and 15 boats on Wednesday to assist in the rescue operation, NDTV reported.

Meanwhile, the IAF choppers are dropping food packets for people stranded in several parts of Chennai.

Airport closed till 6 December

Chennai International Airport will be shut down till 6 December and people stranded in the vicinity are being rescued.

"Chennai Aerodrome has been closed up to 12 noon of December 6, 2015. The situation is being closely monitored and any further action will be taken subject to review for the resumption of services as soon as possible," the AAI, which runs the airport, said in a statement on Thursday.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) established emergency contact numbers +91 44 22563100 and +91 8056220066 for assistance, IANS reported.

Helpline numbers:

  • Emergency Toll-Free Number: 1910
  • State Emergency: 1070
  • District Emergency: 1077
  • Electricity:1912, Fire
  • Rescue: 101
  • Ambulance: 108
  • Tree fall, waterlogging: 1913
  • Sewage overflow: 45674567, 22200335