Indian Red Cross Society Tamil Nadu Branch Flood Response

1. Indian Red Cross Society
Tamil Nadu State Branch
.

2. Introduction
A depression formed over southwest Bay of Bengal on 8th
November,
2015 morning, moved North-East wards at a speed of 15 kmph storm
and intensified into a deep depression and lay centred at 0530 hours
IST on 9th November 2015 over southwest Bay of Bengal near
latitude 11.5°N and longitude 80.7°N, about 110 km east-southeast of
Puducherry and 180 km southeast of Chennai. It moved North-East
wards and crossed North Tamil Nadu coast near Puducherry from 12.00
noon on 10 th
November between Puducherry and Cuddalore up to 7.30
PM the same day. Under the influence of this system, heavy to very
heavy rainfall occurred over many parts of Tamil Nadu and other
characteristic are described below. The rainfall started from 8th
Morning
and intensified in the evening of the same day and continued till the
evening of 9th
November in many places. Cuddalore and Pondicherry
witnessed heavy rains. Chennai also received substantial rains. The
process of the Heavy Rains put the people/communities out of gear for
the whole day and report coming from Cuddalore and Pondicherry
indicate that rains are still continuing in some places though less in
intensity.

3. Depression formed over southwest Bay
of Bengal moved North-East wards at
a speed of 15 kmph storm and
intensified into a deep depression .
Under the influence of this system,
heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred
over many parts of Tamil Nadu
Chennai also received substantial rains.
The process of the Heavy Rains put the
people/communities out of gear for
the whole day and report coming from
Cuddalore and Pondicherry indicate
that rains are still continuing in some
places though less in intensity. Chennai
received a rainfall of 25cm within 24
Hours.

4. Heavy Rainfall:
• NEVYELI : 45cm
CHIDAMBARAM :
21cm
VRIDDHACHALAM : 13cm
KOLLIDEM :
10cm
• Chennai - Average : 14 cm
AMBATTUR
: 20cm
• MAMALLAPURAM : 17cm
• POONAMALLEE : 17 cm
• MEENAMBAKAM : 17 cm
• TARAMANI : 15 cm
• KOLAPAKAM : 15cm
• NUNGAMBAKAM : 6cm
MEENAMBAKAM :
4cm
• Tirupattur : 16 cm

5. Debris, Felled Tree Clearance & Traffic Regulation
Egmore Bus Stand
On 8th
November 2015 heavy rains started in Chennai city due to which on 9th
November 2015 in some of the area trees were fallen down and blocked the
roads. Immediately IRCS-TNB staff on the directing of Chairman IRCS-TNB
cleared the roads by cutting the tress, and also co-operated with the Fire and
Rescue Department and Corporation of Chennai officials. In that IRCS-TNB staff
reached Egmore Bus Depot (near Daily Thanthi News Paper) and cut the
branches of tree that had fallen on the road and cleared the road block for
vehicular traffic. In view of continuous rain in Chennai city on the instructions of
Chairman DM Rescue Relief Team was formed immediately.

6. Ellis Road - Royapettah
On 9th
November 2015 a message was
received from IRCS Mylapore Sub Branch
informing that a tree fell down at Ellis
Road, Royapettah(Near Hotel Srinivasa).
Immediately by 5.00PM IRCS-TNB staff
reached the spot with the woodcutter
machine, cut the branches of the tree and cleared the road
block. During our services, the Tahsildar Mylapore and the
officials from Corporation of Chennai, were present
Subsequently after completion of the services, the Tahsildar
Mylapore of Corporation officials made note of our official
telephone number for further rescued relief services that
they may need later.

7. T.Nagar
On 15th
November 2015 at about 11.30PM phone call received
by IRCS-TNB informing that a big Banyan Tree fell down on
the road at Thanikachalam Street, T.Nagar (Near Gandhi
Sabha) and requested our services to cut the Tree and open
road for vehicular traffic. Exactly by 12.10AM IRCS-TNB staff
rushed to the spot and cut the branches of the Trees and
cleared the road for passing free flow of Vehicle. The work
ended by 2.45AM on the wee hours of 16.11.2015.
Subsequently local Police and the labourers of Corporation of
Chennai requested us to render services at Barkit Road,
T.Nagar ( Near Saraswathi Ladies Hostel ) where a tree fell
down on the road. After finishing the work at Thanikachalam
Road, the same IRCS-TNB staff went to Barkit Road and
cutting the branches of trees and helped to free flow of
vehicles on the road.

8. On 16th
of November 2015 early morning based on the request received from
F2 Police Station, Egmore. IRCS-TNB staff immediately rushed to the spot viz.
Pantheon Road, Egmore nearby Karur Vysya Bank where 100yaers old
banyan tree fell down due to heavy rain. IRCS-TNB staff cutting the Tree
Branches with the support of machine and cleared the road block. The above
services starts from 04.30AM and ended by 08.30AM. Our services have
been well recognized by F2 Police station Officials.

9. Emergency Communication
Centre
IRCS-TNB services were also duly informed to our Chairman. Thereafter
Chairman has instructed to assign our office Phone No.044 – 28554548 to the
Relief Callers and also exclusively assign two staff of IRCS-TNB for requesting
Relief Calls Throughout day and night. Soonafter receiving relief calls,
immediately they have to communicate to the DM Rescue Team.
On knowing IRCS-TNB DM Rescue services by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu ( Health
Department ) of our Emergency Call Number 044 – 28554548 have been
communicated to Corporation of Chennai, Fire & Rescue Department & 108
Emergency Call Centre for any rescue Services.
Afterwards we have received more than 100 Night Calls only,
from various places in Chennai, Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram
District time and again the IRCS-TNB DM Rescue Team, IRCS-
TNB Staff Red Cross Volunteers have been attending the rescue
Services in most of the places in the above said three Districts.

11. Flood Rescue and Evacuation Operations
• Montieth Road, Egmore - Heavy Rain Water
Stagnation in the Road and Break Down STC Bus.
• Due to heavy rain the entire stretch of Montieth
Road, Egmore flooded with water and IRCS-TNB staff
members regulated the traffic jam on 14.11.2015.

12. Sriperambudur Bhopal Eri damage
On 14.11.2015 Bhopal Eri at Sriperambudur was broken which
caused heavy flood water flushed out from the Eri. Three
Children from the same locality was drowned and washed
away from the flood water. Hearing about the news IRCS-TNB
staff immediately rushed to the spot for rendering services.
The fire and Rescue Department Officials were also present
and due to heavy water flow they are enable to search the
bodies of the Children and only after the normalcy of the
situation, drowned bodies can be searched and hence they
returned back. Similarly only after normalcy. We can again visit
and render our services.

13. Vijayashanthi Apartments Kelambakkam, Chennai
• On 15th
November 2015 by 11.45PM ( Midnight) more phone calls was
received to IRCS-TNB from Vijaya Shanthi Appartments Kelambakkam,
Chennai seeking our services for evacuation of the flat residents, due to
heavy rain fall. On hearing the above news IRCS-TNB staff contacted the
Fire & Rescue Department Officials and informed their help for which they
have informed that during night time it was not feasible to evacuation
since the flood water level may increase and hence asked there to
assemble on 16th
November 2015 early morning.

14. Subsequently IRCS-TNB staff with the help of DM equipments and also
making a readymade plastic / wooden have made floating boat, the
residents numbering above 458 families have been safely rescued from
ground / first floor flats. The entire rescue services was ended by
03.30PM.
IRCS-TNB staff services were highly appreciated by the Tasildar Tirupporur
and also the Vijaya Shanthi Apartments Association Representatives and

15. The above inform has also been received from the Tasildar Tiruporur
seeking our services in the above place. On 16th
November 2015 morning
IRCS-TNB staff with proper DM equipments ( Life Jacket, Water Ring,
Rope, Safety Jacket, etc., ) reached Vijaya Shanthi Apartment at
Kelambakkam and discussed with the Tasildar Tiruporur about the
evacuation of the affected families. We found that 23blocks consisting of
1200families have been in occupation in the flats, Actually about 5feet of
water level exists in the entire area and planned to evacuate ground floor
and first floor residents.

16. Perambakkam, Velachery.
On 17th
November 2015 IRCS-TNB staff of
Volunteers visited Perambakkam, ECR Road,
Kancheepuram District where heaving flats are
flooted with water. Our Theam meet Ms.
Meenakshi Deputy Director of Fire & Rescue
Department and she has requested only medical
services for which we have informed that only
Rescue Relief services at this moment will be
provided. Thereafter we have given our office
contact Number for our services if they need later.
On 17th
November 2015 IRCS-TNB staff of
Volunteers visited Perambakkam, ECR Road,
Kancheepuram District where heaving flats are
flooted with water. Our Theam meet Ms.
Meenakshi Deputy Director of Fire & Rescue
Department and she has requested only medical
services for which we have informed that only
Rescue Relief services at this moment will be
provided. Thereafter we have given our office
contact Number for our services if they need later.
On return we went to MCR Nagar,
velachery where flood water
surrounded in the residential flats and
requested evacuation from their flats
with the support of Rope we have
rescue about 55families from their
residences and return to office.

17. Preparation of Make Shift Raft

19. HUMAN CHAIN USED TO EVACUATE THE AFFECTED PEOPLE FROM FLOODHUMAN CHAIN USED TO EVACUATE THE AFFECTED PEOPLE FROM FLOOD

20. Indian Red Cross Society Tamil Nadu Branch

22. Evacuation of Dead Bodies

23. Rescued Pregnant Women

24. Rescued in-Patients from the Govt.
Hospital TAMBARAM

26. Red Cross Rescues VIPs
Thiru A.C Muthiah, Indian industrialist and cricket administrator, Chairman-
Emeritus of Southern Petrochemical Industries Limited, and chairman of Sri
Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur

27. Rescued the Flood Victims @ T.Nagar
Dr. Harish L Metha, Chairman – IRCS,TNB heading and guiding the
Rescue Teams.

29. Dead Body Evacuation - A Video

30. Rescuing Pregnant Women - Video

31. Rescue Video Clip

32. Rescue Video Clip