Cyclone Fengal causes heavy rain and flooding in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry; 3 dead

Three people were electrocuted in separate rain-related incidents in Chennai, while no major damage was immediately reported in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, which recorded 44 cm of rainfall, the highest in 30 years, reported India Today.

Impact on Chennai and Puducherry

The Chennai airport reopened at 1 am on Sunday after being shut for 16 hours due to inundation. Despite resumption of operations, several flights were delayed or cancelled. Public transport, including buses and trains, faced disruptions, and authorities relocated people from vulnerable areas to relief shelters.

Puducherry saw its highest rainfall in 30 years with 46 cm, surpassing the 21 cm recorded in October 2004. District Collector announced that all private schools and colleges would serve as relief shelters until further notice.

Rescue operations and government response

The Indian Army rescued over 100 stranded residents from Krishnanagar in Puducherry, where water levels reached five feet. A 62-member team conducted the operation, rescuing civilians from nearly 500 homes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin reviewed relief measures, including the deployment of 1,700 motor pumps to clear waterlogging in 334 locations. Six subways in Chennai remained temporarily closed due to water stagnation.

Rainfall statistics

Several regions recorded significant rainfall:

- Cuddalore: 23 cm

- Chennai Airport: 14 cm

- Yercaud: 14 cm

- Chennai (Meenambakkam): 11 cm

- Chennai (Nungambakkam): 10 cm

- Vellore: 11 cm

- Tirupattur: 8 cm

- Dharmapuri and Salem: 5 cm each

Preparations and alerts

Ahead of the landfall, Puducherry authorities sent SMS alerts to 12 lakh residents, urging caution. Tamil Nadu Minister KKSSR Ramachandran noted the cyclone’s impact was less severe than anticipated, with further assessments expected by Sunday.

The IMD reported that Cyclone Fengal had remained stationary for hours and was likely to weaken into a deep depression, moving westward slowly in the next six hours.