Cyclone Fengal Causes Havoc in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, 3 Dead in Chennai
- Posted on December 1, 2024
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
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Cyclone Fengal lashed northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Three people died in Chennai due to electrocution, and the airport was briefly shut. Relief efforts are underway as parts of the city remain inundated. The storm is expected to weaken into a deep depression by Sunday.
Cyclone Fengal battered northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with heavy rains and gusty winds on Saturday, disrupting life and leading to tragic incidents. The cyclone made landfall near Puducherry and remained stationary overnight, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to predict its weakening into a deep depression by early Sunday morning.
In Chennai, three people lost their lives due to electrocution in separate rain-related incidents. Among the victims was a migrant worker who was electrocuted while using an ATM. The city faced significant disruptions, including the temporary closure of Chennai airport due to waterlogging. Operations were suspended, impacting 74 flights, with 19 diversions and numerous cancellations.
The heavy rainfall inundated several parts of Chennai, bringing back memories of the devastating 2015 floods. Authorities scrambled to mitigate the impact, setting up relief camps for nearly 200 residents from low-lying areas and distributing food to over 2.3 lakh people. Waterlogging forced the temporary closure of six subways, while hospitals and residential areas also reported flooding.
Despite the intensity of the storm, Tamil Nadu’s Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran reported no major damages. In Puducherry, the administration had proactively sent warnings to residents, helping them prepare for the cyclone’s landfall.
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Cyclone Fengal’s winds reached speeds of up to 85 kmph during its peak. As the storm moves west-southwest, the IMD has urged continued caution, predicting more rainfall but a gradual improvement in weather conditions.
