Cyclone Fengal Aftermath: Landslides and Floods Across Tamil Nadu Claims Lives
Tamil Nadu is grappling with widespread devastation in the wake of Cyclone Fengal, which crossed the coast near Chennai on Saturday. Torrential rains triggered by the cyclone have caused landslides, floods, and extensive damage across the state, leaving several lives lost and communities disrupted.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Visuals from Tiruvannamalai where 7 people, including 5 children, died when a huge rock fell on their house, following continuous rainfall because of #FengalCyclone.
4 bodies have been recovered and sent to the hospital. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin… pic.twitter.com/YsOgDJFCJy
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024
Tragedy Strikes Tiruvannamalai
In Tiruvannamalai, a landslide on Sunday afternoon caused a boulder to crash onto a residential building on the lower slopes of Annamalaiyar Hill. The incident, occurring around 4:30 pm, left four members of a family dead and three others trapped under debris. Rescue operations are ongoing but are hindered by persistent rainfall and the precarious positioning of another large boulder uphill.
A second landslide near a local temple on Monday has compounded challenges for rescue teams, who are working against difficult weather conditions. Experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Chennai are assisting with the efforts.
Floods Ravage Northern and Western Districts
While Tiruvannamalai struggles with landslides, other parts of Tamil Nadu are battling severe floods.
- Viluppuram district has seen unprecedented rainfall, washing out bridges and cutting off access to villages and residential areas.
- In Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, heavy rains caused record flooding, with Uthangarai receiving 50 cm of rain in just 24 hours.
Videos from Uthangarai show vehicles, including buses, being swept away by surging floodwaters. The heavy rains have damaged crops, disrupted rail traffic, and left communities isolated.
Impact
In Chennai, parts of the airport were inundated over the weekend, forcing the suspension of operations until early Sunday morning. Flight cancellations disrupted the travel plans of hundreds of passengers.
The capital also reported fatalities, including the death of a migrant worker who was electrocuted while attempting to withdraw cash from an ATM.
The remnants of Cyclone Fengal have now transitioned into a low-pressure system. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for northern Kerala and southern Karnataka as the system moves toward the Arabian Sea, promising further heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The ongoing weather crisis underscores the fragility of infrastructure in the face of extreme climatic events. The state government, along with local authorities, is focused on relief and rescue operations while bracing for further challenges as rain persists.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal highlights the pressing need for improved disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies to address the growing frequency of such events.
See Also:
Indian Student in Chicago Shot Dead
Arrest of 2nd Hindu Priest in Bangladesh Raises Alarms
Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Australia
US Universities Advise International Students to Return Before Trump’s Inauguration
China Discovers Massive Gold Reserve Worth ₹7 Lakh Crore
——————————————————————————-
It would mean the world to us if you follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. At Newscazt, we strive to bring you the latest news and stories from India, World, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more. Our team of experienced journalists and writers are committed to delivering accurate and unbiased news and analysis.
Good information.Need more