100 soldiers from Hyderabad were made to wait 10 hrs to help flood victims in Chennai

Hyderabad, Dec 7: Officials of the Tamil Nadu government and local administration forced at least 100 Army solders from Hyderabad to wait for at least 10 hours before they could help flood victims in rain-ravaged Chennai, reports said. The solders appeared bored, helpless and directionless as they waited to instructions and directions. The 100 soldiers had come all the way from Hyderabad fully geared with rescue boats and relief material. They were up and ready by 6.30 am on December 5. However, it was only around 1.30 pm the civil administration could give them a direction and along with some civil officials the two truckloads of men and equipment reached Thiruvanmiyur. They were again made to wait there till 3.30pm. When media spoke to them, Army personnel said, "We don't know where to go from here. So the government official has now gone to find out." After 3.30 pm they returned and then headed to Pallikaranai. Though desperate and hungry locals were clambering for food and water, the officials told the soldiers that the real rescue location was a little further away. The Jayalalithaa government is facing severe criticism from the people for mishandling the crisis. However, Chennai Municipal Corporation officials tried to deny there was any problem in the rescue and relief measures. However, Lt Col Rajendra Singh said, "Actually we need more coordination with civil agencies. It's required. So that we can react quickly and time is not wasted."