The heavy rains, continuing since Saturday, accompanied by strong winds have been lashing the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry region.
Published Dec 01, 2024 | 11:28 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 01, 2024 | 11:00 PM
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Heavy rains and floods following the Fengal cyclone caused widespread damage and submerged several areas across Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry on Sunday, 1 December. The cyclonic storm led to at least eight deaths, four each in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The heavy rains, continuing since Saturday, accompanied by strong winds have been lashing the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry region.
In residential areas, water levels have risen to waist height, leaving residents unable to leave their homes. Areas such as Saram, Rajiv Gandhi Statue, Indira Gandhi Statue, and Kamarajar Road in Puducherry are flooded, forcing residents to evacuate.
Flooding following the rains has also caused traffic congestion, making it difficult even for emergency vehicles. Meanwhile, a flood alert was issued for four districts as water from the Sathanur dam was released.
Fengal disrupted normal life in Ranipet district and surrounding areas, including Walajah, Sholinghur, Panapakkam, and Nemili. The Panapakkam-Panneeyur road, which served as a temporary route due to ongoing bridge construction, has been washed away, cutting off over 15 villages such as Peruvalayam, Karnavoor, and Pillayarkuppam.
Incessant rains have caused waterlogging and severe hardships for residents, with over 15 cm of rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours. Water from the overflowing Kidangal lake surrounded the residents of Tindivanam and caused hardships, making their lives standstill. They were unable to access even essential items.
Cyclone Fengal, which formed over the Bay of Bengal, made landfall late at night on Saturday. Heavy rains have been lashing the Villuppuram district of Tamil Nadu since then, causing significant disruptions. Tindivanam has been experiencing continuous downpours since Saturday morning.
Adding to their troubles, the absence of proper canal systems in the Kidangal Lake has exacerbated the flooding, leading to water entering residential areas. Residents have appealed to the district administration to take immediate action to drain the stagnant water and implement measures to prevent further flooding into their homes.
The Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai has been receiving 9,500 cubic feet of water per second and the same amount is being released through 11 sluice gates to ensure the dam’s safety.
A flood alert has been issued for residents along the banks of the Thenpennai River in the districts of Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villuppuram, and Cuddalore.
The Sathanur Dam, located near Thandarampattu in Tiruvannamalai district, has a maximum storage capacity of 119 feet. The sluice gates were opened once the water level reached 118 feet and inflow continued at 9,500 cubic feet per second.
Authorities have urged residents living along the Thenpennai River banks in affected areas, including Kulamanjanur, Thiruvadathur, Edathanur, Rayandapuram, Agarampallipattu, Thondamuthur, Allappanur, and Sadaguppam, to move to safer locations immediately. Village administration officers have been instructed to inform residents using loudspeakers and ensure their relocation to secure areas.
Additionally, the public has been strictly advised to avoid crossing bridges over the river as the water level is expected to rise further. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and has deployed personnel to manage the flood’s impact and ensure public safety.
In the Amirthi Jawadhu Hills region of Vellore district, the Nagapathra River, which originates in Amirthi, is experiencing a flood after many years due to continuous rainfall in the mountainous areas.
Flooding has occurred along both banks of the river, posing a danger to several areas, including Keela Arasampattu and Kannamangalam. Authorities have issued warnings advising people not to approach the riverbank or attempt to cross the river due to the flood.
Forest department officials have also issued warnings in Amirthi regarding the danger of crossing the river. It is noteworthy that floodwaters have also inundated the crops in these regions.
Meanwhile, officials from the Water Resources Department of Tamil Nadu reported on Sunday that the total water storage in the key reservoirs supplying drinking water to Chennai is 6,336 million cubic feet out of a total capacity of 11,757 million cubic feet.
The current water levels in the reservoirs are as follows:
In the Puducherry region, motorists have reported delays of over two hours. Due to traffic congestion, visitors from out of town, including those seeking medical care or on tours, are unable to leave. Many vehicles are being towed as they are rendered inoperable.
Due to the heavy rainfall after the cyclone made landfall near Puducherry last night which continued into the early hours of Sunday, the city is now submerged in floodwaters. Rescue teams, including disaster relief personnel and paramilitary forces, are evacuating citizens from flooded areas using boats.
Trees have fallen across various parts of the city, and low-lying areas have been inundated with floodwaters. Notably, areas such as Rainbow Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Venkata Nagar, Indira Gandhi Circle, Maramalai Adigal Road, and Saram are experiencing flooding, with residents unable to leave their homes due to rising water levels.
In the Krishna Nagar area, over 2,000 affected residents are being rescued by boat by the National Disaster Rescue Teams and paramilitary forces.
Additionally, the cyclone has caused power poles to tilt in several areas, resulting in power outages since last night, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by residents.
Indian Army troops of the Chennai Garrison Battalion under the Dakshin Bharat Area are engaged in the rescue of residents.
It is worth noting that Puducherry has recorded 46 cm of rainfall, the highest in 20 years.
Wastewater mixed with rainwater in Cuddalore Municipal Area. Due to continuous rainfall, areas like Manjakuppam, Puthupalayam, Navanitha Nagar, and Kanganankuppam in Cuddalore have been surrounded by rainwater, affecting residential areas.
The mixing of wastewater with rainwater entering homes has caused foul odors, creating an unsanitary environment and distressing the public.
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds has caused damage to the walls of two houses in the Cuddalore city area.
Residents are urging authorities to take action to remove the stagnant water from the streets and homes.
Due to the aftermath of the Fengal cyclone, continuous rainfall has been reported in several areas of Cuddalore district, including Periya Kanganankuppam, Uchchimedu, and surrounding regions.
Specifically, in Mahalakshmi Nagar, Uchchimedu, where over a hundred families reside, the residential areas have been flooded, trapping people inside their homes. Upon receiving information, the Cuddalore district administration deployed disaster relief teams who are actively involved in rescuing the residents using rubber boats.
In Cuddalore, heavy rains have flooded residential areas, leaving people stranded. They are being rescued by the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) using boats.
Although Cyclone Fenzal has fully crossed the coast, widespread heavy rains accompanied by strong winds have been lashing the Cuddalore district since yesterday afternoon. As a result, several areas have been inundated, causing severe hardship for residents in low-lying regions.
In Selva Nagar near Periya Kanganankuppam, located close to the South Pennai River, more than 20 families have been affected by flooding. The stranded residents are being evacuated by TNDRF teams using boats. They will be accommodated in temporary shelters set up by the district administration.
Floodwaters overflowing in Pambar River near Tirupattur force the public and vehicle drivers to take a 10-kilometer detour to reach their destinations.
The Pambar River flows through the Matrapalli area near Tirupattur. A small bridge, reportedly over 50 years old, spans the river here. This road serves as the main route connecting 18 villages, including Matrapalli, Merkatthiyanur, Kumaran Nagar, and Jawadhu Hills Pudur Nadu. Thousands of people, including bus and two-wheeler commuters, use this route daily.
However, during the monsoon, the river experiences severe flooding every year, causing significant inconvenience to the public and vehicle drivers. Locals and social activists have repeatedly petitioned for the construction of a high-level bridge to resolve this issue. Despite these appeals, authorities have reportedly not taken action.
Currently, heavy flooding in the river has rendered the road unusable. Officials from the highways department and rural police have cordoned off the area. Consequently, residents and commuters from 23 villages, including the 18 villages of Jawadhu Hills Pudur Nadu, are forced to take alternate routes, resulting in a 10-kilometer detour to reach their destinations.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
