The Army and Air Force have been deployed for rescuing stranded citizens in Kancheepuram district, where torrential rains have left residents marooned, even as rain water inundated a large part of suburban Tambaram locality here.

There have been no fresh rains in the city today.

Personnel from the Madras 4 Regiment of the Indian Army have been pressed into service at Mudichur in Kacheepuram on the request of the district administration even as Air Force has conducted sorties to rescue citizens, Defence officials said.

Surplus water from lakes and tanks at Mudichur entered the suburban Tambaram locality, inundating a large part, they said, adding, personnel from Army and IAF were now assisting the district administration in the rescue efforts.

IAF helicopters from the Air Force station at Tambaram carried out six sorties and evacuated 22 persons last night they said, adding, food packets and water were air dropped.

The army was also now involved in the evacuation process, they added.

Citizens were also being evacuated from Kotturpuram and nearby areas in the city, as the discharge from Chembarambakkam lake had resulted in Adyar river running in spate.

As many as 71 deaths have been reported in various rain-related incidents, including electrocution and drowning, till last night.

With the monsoon fury causing flood and inundation in various parts of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had yesterday announced Rs 500 crore towards relief and rehabilitation.

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