Ten IAS officers who were also deputed to assist the Chennai Corporation commissioner, "are also fully engaged in the relief work". Similar relief and clearance work has been undertaken in the affected areas of neighbouring Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, which were also battered by torrential rains, she said.

Impressions: A wet day in Chennai

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, which had shut down power following the heavy rains yesterday in Chennai, were restoring electricity supply. Out of 230 11KV feeder units, which had been shut down to prevent any accidental death, 135 feeders have since been made functional.

"Out of a total of 808 feeder units in the city, 713 units are now providing power supply. The remaining feeders are also being restored and power to most parts of the city will be restored by this evening," she said.

Jayalalithaa said nearly one lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying and inundated areas and accommodated in 143 relief centres of Chennai Corporation. About six lakh food packets have been supplied at the centres.

Many of those who were accommodated in relief centres were now going back to their homes, Jayalalithaa said, adding that she has directed the corporation commissioner to supply food packets to all those in need.

Tell us your rain experience

She said she had also directed the Metro Water Board to maintain water supply in all parts without any disruption and care was being taken to ensure that there was no contamination of drinking water. The health authorities have also been directed to take all precautionary steps to prevent the outbreak of infectious and water-borne diseases, she said.

Milk supply had been maintained and this morning seven lakh litres of milk had been delivered, while this afternoon the normal supply of 80,000 litres of milk "will be fully ensured," she said.

Bus services, which were partially disrupted due to heavy inundation and road blocks yesterday, have been restored substantially and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation was running 1805 services as against 2200 on a normal day.

Fire services along with revenue officials, police and corporation officials were undertaking rescue and evacuation of people in water-logged and marooned areas like Sembiam and Pulianthope.

"Coast Guard assistance has also been taken at city's Madipakkam area and the army has also been called to assist in the rescue and movement of supplies in Pulianthope area.

"I have instructed the officials to make a detailed assessment of damage to crops and to infrastructure as well as permanent restoration costs quickly. Based on this assessment, a detailed memorandum seeking Central assistance will be sent to the Government of India," she said.