Rainfall in Chennai and its neighbouring districts receded on Friday, bringing relief to flood-affected residents and rescue agencies. Some areas in and around Chennai, including Kodambakkam, T Nagar and Tambaram, received overnight showers, but Friday morning brought some bright skies, reported PTI. The interlude in rainfall resulted in a sharp decline in the discharge of waters from the Chembarapakkam, Pondi and Puzhal lakes. This brought about a reduction in the water levels of the Adyar and Couum rivers in the city.

The National Disaster Response Force said it has rescued 9,000 people from flood-affected areas. It has also bolstered its strength by adding ten more teams with a focus on intensifying relief and rescue operations. The force already has 30 teams of 40 personnel each, working in Tamil Nadu and the adjoining Puducherry.

Mobile phone services, which had taken a severe hit following the heavy downpour on Tuesday, were partially restored, the report said. Other services such as ATMs continued to remain shut. Electricity remained suspended in many areas as a precautionary measure, officials said. Drinking water and milk was also scarcely available, while vegetables were being sold at high rates.

While the Chennai Airport remained shut, limited commercial flight operations began on Friday morning from the Rajali naval air station in Arakkonam near the city. Train services on the suburban Chennai Arakonnam stretch were partially restored. Southern Railway officials said they were yet to take a call on restoration of its services.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas before meeting with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He also announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore relief package for the state, which will be over and above the Rs 940 crore given by the Centre to Tamil Nadu during the earlier spell of rain in November.