Cyclone Fengal is still causing disaster in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Kerala. Despite the fact that cyclones subsequently degenerate into a low-pressure system, the effects it brought for the area include continued heavy rain, widespread flooding, and damage to properties. Humanitarian aid is still being provided; however, loss of lives and properties has challenged incredible resources.
Tamil Nadu unprecedented damage
The cyclone caused “unprecedented” damage in 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, affecting Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi, said the state’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. These parts of the country got over 50 cm of rain on one day that was equal to the average of an entire season. Key highlights include:
- Affected Population: A total of 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore people have been affected.
- Crop Losses: At least 211,206 hectares of agricultural and horticultural crop area flooded.
- Infrastructure Damage: Roads: 9,500 km; culverts: 1,847; water tanks: 417; electricity poles: 23,664; transformers: 997.
- Fatalities and Housing: Twelve deaths, over 2,400 huts and 721 houses burnt and damaged, respectively.
Assistance for Affected Areas
As for today, the Tamil Nadu government has assembled 38,000 government officials and 112,000 trained responders for relief operations, but these are still considered insufficient because of the enormity of the calamity that struck the region.
To help the most affected districts—Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Thiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri—recover, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced specific relief measures.
#CycloneFengal பாதிப்புகளில் இருந்து விழுப்புரம், கள்ளக்குறிச்சி, திருவண்ணாமலை, கடலூர், தருமபுரி மற்றும் கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்ட மக்கள் மீண்டெழ அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிவாரண உதவிகள்: pic.twitter.com/jCavsAbncq— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 3, 2024
Stalin posted on social media,
"Relief assistance has been announced to support the recovery of these districts devastated by Cyclone Fengal,"
highlighting the state's dedication to helping impacted communities recover.
Stalin has lately sought ₹2,000 crores from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to meet restoration requirements, including the immediate ones, which are estimated at ₹2,475 crores. He also requested a central team formation to come after and establish the losses.
Present Cyclone Tracking and Climate Prediction
Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) has indicated that Cyclone Fengal, which is now a low-pressure system, has shifted west-northwestwards over Coastal Karnataka and the east-central Arabian Sea.
Meteorological Highlights:
Rainfall Warnings:
Tamil Nadu: It has warned that 15 districts of the state, comprising Krishnagiri, Tiruppur, Theni, and Madurai, could get up to 11 cm of rainfall yesterday.
Karnataka: The orange and yellow alerts stay on for districts such as Bengaluru, which is likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours.
Kerala: Conditions for red alerts in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad because of heavy downpour and ‘rough’ sea.
Temperature Forecast for Bengaluru:
Maximum: ~23°C, Minimum: ~20°C
But conversing about the formation of another cyclone in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea in the next 168 hours, RSMC has come as relief.
Impact Across Southern States
Karnataka:
Mysuru and Mandya, as well as five districts, continue the school and college shutdown for security.
Immense rainfall has led to the toppling of some walls in the city of Bengaluru.
Kerala:
Fishing activities continue to be hampered by rough sea conditions. The Kalamukku Fishing Harbour has therefore become nonfunctional.
Puducherry:
Some universities, such as Pondicherry University and Annamalai University, have resorted to postponing the examination.
Andhra Pradesh:
Relief camps have been established, and residents in flood-hit mandals have been evacuated to safer locations.
VIDEO | Cyclone Fengal: Police rescue people stranded in floodwater in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/3FkHBjWyDp— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2024
♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his government will extend full support to Tamil Nadu during a phone call with Chief Minister Stalin. Modi further informed that the government stands prepared to come forward to help those affected by the disaster and provide rehabilitation aid.
Cleanup in Chennai:
Much work has been done, and nearly three thousand eight hundred tonnes of waste have been cleared from parks and the rest of the public space to make these once again accessible to the general public.
Recap: December 2, 2024
Cyclone Fengal destroyed the houses and church and killed several people, hit near Puducherry, and villages in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district were flooded, and there were power cuts. Emergency response planning was dedicated to delivering food, medical, and emergency meal support.
For more, click -Cyclone Fengal: Heavy Rains and Flooding Continue to Disrupt Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
IMD had forecasted the system to move westward, which was correct when the storm was weakening. However, the situation was not any easier yesterday as relief partners struggled with residual rains and strong winds.
Public Advisory and the Future
Authorities urge residents to:
- Do not go out, especially to areas that are prone to flooding.
- Create food and water emergency kits and other emergency supplies.
- Farmers are urged to protect crops from additional harm.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | A 2 km stretch of Chennai-Puducherry East Coast Road is flooded after the lake in Chettikuppam village, Villupuram overflowed due to heavy rainfall
Drone visuals were shot at 1115 hours today pic.twitter.com/hwCf1YoKBQ— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024
Currently, with the state and the national government in support, the major emphasis is on restoration and students’ rehabilitation, though the problems are enormous. Subsequent reports will enlighten progress of recovery efforts and disbursement of the funds.
Adaptive measures by the stricken populations will play a great role in surmounting this disaster together with early intervention by governments and humanitarian organisations.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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