Water levels started falling in the flooded Indian metropolis of Chennai Friday after a dry night, but many areas remained cut off, officials and news reports said according to dpa. "Water in many city areas has receded, power has been restored inareas that are no longer water logged," National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief OP Singh said. Singh said rescue operations were continuing in some areas. So far, the NDRF has rescued 9,000 people. "The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and local government departmentswere all assisting in relief and rescue work. Chennai's main airport has been closed since Tuesday but seven flights had been arranged from a naval base at Arakkonam on the outskirts of Chennai to fly out stranded passengers, the government said. The city, India's fourth largest and the hub of one of the most industrialized regions in India, is still largely cut off from the rest of the country with air, road and rail transport services suspended.
