Karmactive Staff
The aftermath of Cyclone Fengal continues to unfold across South India, with Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala facing severe flooding and displacement. The cyclone, which made landfall near Puducherry on November 30, 2024, has transformed into a well-marked low-pressure area but continues to pose threats as it moves westward.
Record-Breaking Rainfall Paralyzes Regions
Puducherry recorded its highest rainfall in three decades, with 48.4 centimeters in 24 hours until December 1. In Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district, Uthangarai received 503mm of rain.
“The rainfall and water inundation in both areas have been unprecedented. Something I have never seen in my entire career in these areas,” stated a senior revenue official coordinating operations in Uthangarai.
Critical Infrastructure Impact
Southern Railway suspended operations on the crucial Vikravandi-Mundiyampakkam bridge in Villupuram due to dangerous water levels. Multiple trains, including the Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express, faced cancellations. The River Thenpennai’s overflow severely affected the northern coastal town of Cuddalore.
Casualties and Rescue Operations
The cyclone claimed six lives, including two from electrocution. In Tiruvannamalai, seven people, including five children, were feared trapped in a mudslide on Annamalaiyar Hill. NDRF teams with rescue dogs initiated search operations, though District Collector D Bhaskar Pandian noted the possibility that residents may have sought shelter elsewhere.
Government Response and Relief Measures
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced:
- Rs 5,000 relief for ration card holders (3.54 lakh families)
- Rs 30,000 per hectare compensation for affected agricultural land
- Rs 40,000 per lost cow and Rs 20,000 per calf for dairy farmers
- Rs 5 lakh compensation for bereaved families
The Puducherry Chief Secretary submitted a Rs 100 crore interim relief request to the Union Home Ministry.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited affected areas in Villupuram district. “We are assessing the damages and will send a report. That is our duty and responsibility. It is also their responsibility to respond, but they are refusing to do so,” Stalin stated, expressing concern over MPs being barred from discussing the cyclone in Parliament.
Agricultural Impact
The cyclone devastated paddy fields spanning 1.29 lakh hectares in Villupuram district alone. In Uthangarai, the Singarapettai Thirthagirivalasai lake’s overflow affected 55 hectares of agricultural land in surrounding villages.
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Current Alerts and Forecast
The IMD issued red alerts for five northern Kerala districts:
- Kasaragod
- Kannur
- Wayanad
- Kozhikode
- Malappuram
State Revenue Minister K Rajan called for increased public vigilance as rainfall intensity is expected to increase in northern Kerala.
Relief Operations
The Army and NDRF deployed extensive resources:
- 7 NDRF teams and 8 SDRF teams in Villupuram
- 56 personnel in Cuddalore
- 30 personnel in Tiruvannamalai
- 147 relief camps housing 7,776 people
- 900 electricity board workers on ground
- 208 relief camps in Puducherry, distributing 85,000 food packets
The remnant low-pressure system is expected to re-emerge over the Arabian Sea off north Kerala-Karnataka coasts by December 3, potentially triggering additional rainfall in these regions.
