Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall near Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, has weakened into a deep depression as of Sunday. However, the region continues to battle the aftermath, with heavy rains and severe flooding affecting various parts of the state and union territory.
Krishnagiri District Worst Hit by Flooding
Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district has been one of the worst-hit areas, with floodwaters inundating roads and low-lying regions. The situation in Krishnagiri has been alarming, especially at the Uthangiri bus station, where several vehicles were submerged in rising floodwaters. Buses and cars were seen being carried away by the strong currents, highlighting the severity of the flood situation.
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Vehicles parked at roadside in Parasan Eri bund in Uthangarai to Tirupathur strech washed away for a few metres. People said over 20 vehicles cars and travels immersed in water. Uthangarai #CycloneFengal effect in #Krishnagiri district. pic.twitter.com/jNcQhfXAOV
— Sivaguru. S (@shivaguru_TNIE) December 2, 2024
The Krishnagiri district has experienced continuous rainfall for over 14 hours, with the Uthangarai area recording the highest levels of precipitation overnight.
Ongoing Rescue Operations Amid Flooding
Rescue operations are actively underway across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to help those trapped by the floods. The Indian Army played a crucial role in rescuing an infant stranded in a house submerged in floodwaters in Puducherry. The rescue operation was carried out using an inflated boat.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district, a family trapped under a landslide is being rescued by a team from IIT Madras. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also rescued individuals in Cuddalore district using boats, emphasizing the urgency and scope of the rescue efforts.
Heavy Rainfall Warning and School Closures
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Nilgiris, Erode, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Dindigul, Krishnagiri, Salem, Namakkal, Trichy, Karur, Madurai, and Theni. An ‘orange’ alert has also been issued for Karnataka and neighbouring areas, forecasting rough weather conditions through Tuesday.
As a result of the heavy rains and floods, all private and government schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu have been closed for the day. Over 7,000 people have been evacuated in the state, with 147 shelter camps set up to accommodate them.
Stranded Residents in Puducherry
In Puducherry, the situation is equally grim, particularly in Krishna Nagar, where water levels have risen to nearly five feet. Nearly 500 houses are submerged, leaving residents stranded. Fortunately, over 100 people have already been rescued by the Indian Army.
Continued Relief Efforts
Despite the weakening of Cyclone Fengal, the situation remains dire, and authorities continue to provide assistance and organize rescue operations in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. As the rains persist, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to remain cautious.
