For Chennai, a mammoth rehabilitation task looms ahead after raging floods

Army soldiers rescue a man from flood waters in Chennai, India, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. ( R Senthil Kumar / Press Trust of India via AP)

People wade through waterlogged road following heavy rains in Chennai on Wednesday. PTI Photo

Army personnel rescuing woman from a flooded locality in rain-hit Chennai on Thursday. PTI Photo

People taking shelter under a tent near a road in Chennai on Wednesday. PTI Photo

Chennai: People rescue from their Watter lodged houses during heavy rains in Chennai on Wednesday. PTI Photo

People walk through a flooded street in Chennai, India, Thursday, December 3. The heaviest rainfall in more than 100 years has devastated swathes of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with thousands forced to leave their submerged homes and schools, offices and a regional airport shut for a second day Thursday. (Source: AP)

People carry children on their shoulders and wade through flood waters in Chennai, India, Thursday, December 3. (Source: AP)

Indian army soldiers rescue flood affected people in Chennai, India, Thursday, December 3. (Source: AP) ALSO READ: Ripples in Paris (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/chennai-flood-ripples-in-paris/)

Visitors move from a flooded Government hospital after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. Chennai on Thursday turned a virtual island and coastal areas of Tamil Nadu were marooned after unprecedented rains in 100 years pounded the city, its suburbs and neighbouring districts destroying road and rail links, shutting the airport and rendering thousands homeless. Teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), army, navy and commandos of police and fire service personnel were deployed for rescue and relief works in the worst-affected areas of Kotturpuram, Jafferkhanpet and Nandanam on the banks of the Adyar river that has been in spate for the last two days. (PTI Photo) Read story: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

People move from their waterlogged houses following heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. For the first time in over 40 years, the water has risen rapidly on the river breaching the road and the Maraimalai Adigal bridge in Saidapet cutting the arterial Anna Salai (Mount Road), rendering it out of bounds for motorists. (PTI Photo) Read story: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

The Marina beach on the Bay of Bengal coast is partly covered with rainwater after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. The sky is overcast without any fresh rainfall and people are worried about the forecast of showers over the next three days. (PTI photo) Read story: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

People rescued by a boat after heavy rains in Chennai on Monday. Milk and other essentials like vegetables are in short supply. A half-litre packet of milk was being sold at Rs.50 in many areas. (PTI Photo) Read story: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

One of the flood affected areas of Mudichur in Chennai on Tuesday. Over 50,000 people have been rescued from flooded homes in various areas and lodged in relief centres opened by the Chennai Corporation. (PTI Photo) http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

An elderly man carrying a child walks through flood waters in Chennai. (AP photo) Read: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

An aerial photo of flood relief operation by Indian Coast Guard at flood affected areas of Kanchipuram District on the outskirt of Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI photo) Read: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

The Marina beach on the Bay of Bengal coast is partly covered with rainwater after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTi photo) Read: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

An Indian Navy helicopter drops food packets to people surrounded by flood waters following heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (AP Photo) Read: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

An Indian Coast Guard pilot lands with relief material during a flood relief operation, in the affected areas of Kanchipuram District on the outskirt of Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo) Read: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

A fisherman walks near boats during heavy rain near Marina Beach in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI photo) Read: http://iexp.in/Tpe211096

Army personnel flood relief operation under way after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI photo)

Army personnel have been working days and nights to rescue people during their flood relief operations in rain-hit areas of Chennai. (PTI Photo)

Residents stand on a truck after they were rescued from a residential area that was flooded following heavy rains in Chennai, Tamil Nadu state, India, Monday, Nov.16, 2015. (AP photo)

Patients and their care-takers being shifted to safe place from a flooded hospital after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Army personnel rescuing people during their flood relief operations in rain-hit areas of Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Normal life has been badly affected due to incessant rains. (PTI Photo)

Rescuers shifting patients from a flooded hospital after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Patients being shifted from a flooded hospital after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Staffs and visitors move from a flooded Government hospital after heavy rains in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)