Heavy rain caused flooding of roads, water logging in low-lying areas and significant damage to paddy crops and property across Tamil Nadu.
Published Nov 27, 2024 | 1:38 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 27, 2024 | 2:14 PM
Tree fell on a vehicle in Chennai due to heavy rain
Heavy rain under the influence of the deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal continued to lash Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery Delta belt on the intervening night of 26 and 27 November. While IMD has predicted that it will intensify into Cyclone Fengal within the next six hours, Nagapattinam recorded the highest rainfall of 164 mm on Tuesday, 26 November.
The incessant rains resulted in flooding of roads, water logging in low-lying areas and significant damage to paddy crops and property across the state. A holiday was declared for schools and colleges in Villupuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram and Trichy according to ANI.
Meanwhile, only schools will remain closed in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpet, Ariyalur, Sivagangai and Pudukottai districts. A holiday has also been declared for schools and colleges in the neighbouring Puducherry.
Several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to receive moderate to heavy rain till 29 November under the influence of Cycloen Fengal.
IMD has issued red and orange alerts to districts across Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Fengal inches closer. A red alert, predicting extremely heavy rainfall, has been issued to Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Mayiladudhurai and Nagapattinam.
An orange alert, indicating heavy to very heavy rain, has been issued in the districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Ariyalur, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukottai. Meanwhile, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this time.
As the state braces for its impact, seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been dispatched to districts likely to be most impacted by the cyclone.
On 26 November, CM MK Stalin conducted a review meeting with collectors of districts likely to be affected the most and inquired about the emergency measures in place to deal with the rain’s aftermath. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Muruganantham and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran also took part in the meeting and oversaw the preparatory measures.
As reports of properties being damaged due to downpour started emerging from rain-affected areas, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswamy attacked the DMK government over alleged lack of measures to face the aftermath.
Citing reports that about 1,500 acres of rice crops were damaged in Thiruthuraipoondi, Tiruvarur due to rains, the Leader of Opposition urged MK Stalin that officials visit the affected areas to take stock of the situation. He also asked that appropriate compensation be provided to affected farmers.
தமிழ்நாடு முழுவதும் அதி கனமழை பெய்யும் என வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் ரெட் அலர்ட் எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளது.
இந்நிலையில், கனமழையால் திருவாரூர் மாவட்டம் திருத்துறைப்பூண்டியில் சுமார் 1500 ஏக்கர் பரப்பிலான நெற்பயிர்கள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக வரும் செய்தி அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
மழையால்…
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) November 27, 2024
IMD predicted on Thuesday, 27 November that the deep depression will likely continue to “move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours.”
It is then expected to continue moving north-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast skirting Sri Lanka coast in the next two days.
(Edited by Neena)
