People from State stranded in Chennai

Bengalureans and people from various parts of Karnataka are apprehensive and spending anxious moments waiting to establish contact with their dear ones stranded in rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu.

According to preliminary information compiled by the Revenue Department (Disaster Management), 203 people are stranded there. This includes tourists and family members of people from Karnataka working in Tamil Nadu. The list also comprises people working in Bengaluru but having their families in Tamil Nadu.

The department has received calls from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Ballari, Mangaluru, Gadag, Chamarajanagar, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Dharwad and Belagavi.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Rajkumar Khatri, principal secretary, Revenue Department (Disaster Management, Bhoomi and UPOR), said the list had been prepared based on the information and message the 24-hour control room had received.

“Based on the preliminary findings, we have realised that communication gap is an issue. An NDRF team was sent from Bengaluru and they are already on the job there.

“We have sent a list of the stranded people to the Tamil Nadu cell, too. We are trying to bridge the communication gap. We have held a meeting with officials in Tamil Nadu and are ready to help them with any assistance they require.

A meeting with the Home Department principal secretary and DGP Fire and Home Guards services was also held in the City on Wednesday to look into the issue. Presently, the officials in Tamil Nadu have said they do not want anything as their aim was to rescue people and clear water.

Our team with medical supplies, food and civil supplies is ready. We will send things as and when required at a later stage. We cannot do anything now, as bus, flight and train connectivity is cut off,” Khatri said.

At the same time, Tamil Nadu natives staying in Karnataka are waiting to hear from their relatives stranded in the neighbour state. Rajadesigan Srinivas, working in IBM, has not slept since Tuesday night. He has been struggling to establish contact with his wife, parents and daughter who are stranded in Velachery.

“I have been trying to contact them but am not able to. I am working in Bengaluru and have a Chennai-based number. So, my number too has lost connectivity. There is no way I am able to establish contact with my family there. I am using various forms of social media to get in touch with them. I was able to get through to one friend at 4 am, but nothing after that,” he said.

Prakash R, working in HP in Bengaluru, is worried about his family of ten which includes his 80-year-old father and an 8-month-old baby.

“The last I spoke to my family was at 4 am and they said water had gushed into the first floor and they shifted to the second floor. They told me they were waiting for someone to come and rescue them. I do not know what has happened after that. The control room numbers too are not connecting.”

Sujatha M V is a schoolteacher working in Mysuru after her marriage. Her parents and brother are stranded in Chembarambakkam.

“The last I spoke to them was yesterday and they told me they were fine and waiting for help. But now, I do not know anything. I have been calling the disaster management cell for inquiry.”