Heavy rains due to Cyclone Fengal have devastated Tamil Nadu, triggering landslides, floods, and widespread disruptions in districts like Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Nilgiris. Rescue operations continue as authorities manage the disaster's aftermath
Published Dec 02, 2024 | 8:24 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 02, 2024 | 8:25 PM
A flooded Pattalam-Demelons Road in Chennai on Saturday.
Continuous heavy rains and the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal have wreaked havoc across Tamil Nadu, causing landslides, floods, and significant disruptions to daily life in multiple districts, including Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Nilgiris. Several areas remain under water, rescue operations are underway, and both local authorities and state leaders are grappling with the aftermath of this natural disaster.
In Tiruvannamalai district’s Chidambaram Nagar, a landslide at the foothills of the Annamalai Hills buried two houses under a massive boulder weighing approximately 40 tons. The incident, which occurred around 5 PM on 1 December, has left seven individuals from a single household unaccounted for.
The missing family members include Rajkumar (30), his wife Meena (24), their children Gautham (9) and Iniya (7), and three neighbourhood children—Ramya (7), Vinodhini (8), and Maha (8). According to locals, the family was inside the house when the boulder crashed down. Despite rescue efforts involving 170 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and fire departments, progress has been slow due to the massive debris and ongoing rain.
Adding to the complexity, two more landslides occurred on 2 December in nearby areas, but they fortunately caused no further damage. Officials, including District Collector Bhaskara Pandiyan and Minister EV Velu, have assured residents that rescue efforts will continue, though they face delays due to the challenging terrain and weather conditions.
In a recent update, in Villupuram, the Malattar River overflowed its banks, flooding Melthaniyalampattu village and leaving several residents stranded. Rescue teams have now recovered the bodies of five individuals, including Rajkumar (the head of the deceased family), Meena, Goutham, Iniya, and Maha. Among them, Iniya was a child. The tragedy unfolded as rising water levels left no time for the victims to escape, highlighting the severity of the flooding.
Villupuram district has been one of the hardest hit, with flooding from the Malattar River submerging entire villages such as Melthaniyalampattu near Arasur. Residents are trapped in their homes, unable to leave, and have appealed for immediate relief measures.
Flooding has also caused significant disruptions to transportation. The Southern Railway’s Madurai Division canceled five major train services, including the Chennai-Madurai Tejas Express and the Tirunelveli-Chennai Vande Bharat Express, due to flooding near the railway bridge between Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam.
MK Stalin visited the affected areas in Villupuram district, conducted an on-site inspection, and provided relief assistance to the affected people.
In Villupuram, the collapse of a bridge connecting Kitangal Lake to Nagalapuram has compounded the flooding crisis. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the state government for failing to repair the bridge despite three years of pending work, which he claims exacerbated the flooding.
In Cuddalore district, the overflowing Thenpennai River has inundated residential areas, forcing evacuations. Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam inspected the affected areas, while Chief Minister MK Stalin monitored the situation via video call.
In the Nilgiris district, heavy rains have led to cold conditions and structural damage. In one tragic incident, a house wall collapsed in the Nondimedu area of Ooty, killing Arumugam (43). The local administration has ordered the relocation of residents from over 50 mud houses in the area to relief camps, citing safety concerns.
Meanwhile, landslides on the Yercaud hill road near the second hairpin bend have temporarily halted traffic between Salem and Yercaud, further isolating residents in the hill region.
Krishnagiri district has recorded an astounding 503 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, leading to overflowing water bodies and road closures. In Thiruvallur, the Kosathalai River washed away a bridge, cutting off access to over 20 villages and disrupting daily life. Villagers have renewed their decades-old demand for a permanent overbridge in the area.
Authorities in Vellore have also announced alternate routes as several bridges remain submerged, including the Odukathur and Pallapadi bridges.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the flood-affected areas in Dharmapuri district caused by the overflowing Sanathkumara River in Emakuttiyur, Ungaranally Panchayat, following Cyclone Fengal. During his visit, he interacted with residents to understand their grievances and demands firsthand.
Accompanying the deputy chief minister were Tourism Minister R Rajendran, District Monitoring Officer and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Women Development Institute Ch Divyadarsini, and Dharmapuri District Collector K Shanti. Their visit emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing the immediate needs of those impacted and coordinating relief efforts effectively.
A 35-member NDRF team from Villupuram has been deployed to assist rescue efforts in Tiruvannamalai. Additional personnel from the State Rescue Team, Armed Police Force, and the Thiruvannamalai District Police Commando Unit are on site.
District officials have relocated affected residents to relief camps and provided basic necessities. Minister EV Velu and senior police officials, including Law and Order DGP Davidson Devasirvatham, are coordinating efforts to address the crisis.
Political leaders have also weighed in on the disaster. BJP Tamil Nadu State President K Annamalai announced plans to visit flood-affected areas, emphasising the role of BJP volunteers in relief efforts. Meanwhile, Edappadi K Palaniswami has called for swift action from the DMK government to provide relief and compensation to affected farmers and communities.
Health Minister M Subramanian had announced that the family of Mr. Sakthivel, who tragically lost his life due to electrocution in Velachery’s Ram Nagar, has been provided financial assistance of ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The compensation aims to support the bereaved family during this challenging time. He also conducted a survey at Saithai Vannikkar Street through a medical camp to help people in various areas in Chennai.
KSSR Ramachandran, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, along with MK Stalin addressed the press on 30 November about the details on the cyclone and had stated that all measures were being taken to ensure immediate help in cases of emergency.
தமிழ்நாடு மாநில அவசரகால செயல்பாட்டு மையத்தில் மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.@mkstalin அவர்கள் ஃபெஞ்சல் புயலால் தமிழ்நாட்டில் ஏற்பட்டுள்ள பாதிப்புகள் குறித்தும், அதற்கு அரசு மேற்கொண்டுள்ள நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்தும் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்ட பிறகு செய்தியாளர்களைச் சந்தித்து விளக்கினார்.… pic.twitter.com/hXFIY5hYsg
— KKSSR Ramachandran (@KKSSRR_DMK) December 1, 2024
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a significant relief measure for residents of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Thiruvallur districts, who are grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal. Considering the difficulties faced by electricity consumers in these cyclone-hit regions, the government has extended the deadline for paying electricity bills to 10 December, with no penalty charges applicable for delayed payments.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, especially in the Nilgiris and coastal regions. Officials have urged residents to remain cautious and adhere to safety instructions.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal and the persistent rainfall highlights the urgent need for improved disaster management infrastructure in Tamil Nadu. As rescue and relief efforts continue, the state faces the daunting task of rebuilding lives and communities in the wake of this calamity.
Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and report emergencies to local authorities.
REGIONAL DAILY WEATHER REPORT(02.12.2024)
>Description Link:https://t.co/jW8fHWhd07 pic.twitter.com/atO0CL97Ds— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) December 2, 2024
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
