NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, NEW DELHI, DEC 3
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in connection with the flood situation in the state due to Cyclone Fengal and assured all possible help and support to the state, Government of India sources said on Tuesday.
Cyclone Fengal made landfall along coastal lines of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday night. Heavy rainfall and widespread destruction followed in the state and the Union Territory before Fengal weakened into a deep depression on Sunday.
- Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin asks PM Modi to release Rs 2,000 crore for aid efforts
- Rahul Gandhi urges Congress workers to help in relief efforts
- Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin inspects foothills of Vathalmalai in Dharmapuri district
All schools and colleges in four districts of Tamil Nadu will remain closed on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued rainfall from the cyclonic storm, prompting the closure of educational institutions in Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Puducherry districts.
In other districts like Ranipet, Salem, and Tiruvannamalai, only schools will be closed. Similarly, in Kallakurichi, schools in Thirukovilur Town, and in Krishnagiri, schools in Pechampalli and Uthangarai Taluks will also remain shut due to the ongoing rains.
On Monday, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited areas in Dharmapuri district impacted by Cyclone Fengal. He also inspected restoration work on the land bridge at the base of Vathalmalai in the district.
Chief Minister Stalin lashed out at the Centre for not allowing a discussion on the cyclone in the Parliament.
“In Parliament, MPs were not allowed to address the impact of Cyclone Fengal. As part of our duty, we are assessing the damages and will submit a report. While it is their responsibility to respond, they are refusing to do so. Despite this, we are doing our best,” CM Stalin told reporters in Chennai.
Highlighting the ongoing relief efforts, the Chief Minister stated that 18 rescue teams, comprising 493 personnel, are actively working across affected districts.
In Villupuram, 15 teams, including seven from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and eight from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with a total of 407 personnel, are conducting relief operations. In Cuddalore, 56 personnel from the NDRF and SDRF are engaged, while in Tiruvannamalai, a 30-member team is managing rescue efforts.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin asks PM Modi to release Rs 2,000 crore for aid efforts
#CycloneFengal has wreaked unprecedented havoc across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, affecting 1.5 crore people, inundating 2.11 lakh hectares of farmland, and damaging critical infrastructure.
Given the magnitude of destruction, I urge Hon'ble @PMOIndia Thiru. @NarendraModi to… pic.twitter.com/9KUulScZVY
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 2, 2024
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an immediate interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore from the NDRF, citing “unprecedented” destruction caused by Cyclone Fengal. The funds would assist in temporary restoration of damaged infrastructure and livelihoods.
The Chief Minister has also requested the deputation of a central team to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the damage.
The cyclone, which began as a Low-Pressure Area on November 23, wreaked havoc across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu. The initial impact brought severe rainfall to Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai districts, as stated in the Chief Minister’s letter to the Prime Minister.
Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Villupuram experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall afterwards. The cyclone’s landfall on December 1 severely affected Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Tiruvannamalai, with wind speeds reaching 90 km/h, causing substantial damage to roads and electricity infrastructure.
The disaster also resulted in significant flooding and destruction in the inland districts of Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Vellore and Tirupathur. Stalin highlighted the extensive disruption, which included widespread flooding, population displacement, and severe infrastructure damage.
The calamity affected approximately 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals. Notably, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi districts received rainfall exceeding 50 cm in a single day, equivalent to an entire season’s average, resulting in extensive flooding and severe damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands.
The districts of Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Kallakurichi, in particular, received rainfall equivalent to an entire season’s average (more than 50 cm) in a single day, resulting in widespread flooding and severe damage to infrastructure and crops.
A dedicated workforce comprising 38,000 government officials and 1,12,000 trained first responders are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations.
The State Government has estimated that Rs. 2,475 crores is required for temporary restoration efforts. Despite our best efforts, the scale of this disaster has overwhelmed the state’s resources.
Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin inspects foothills of Vathalmalai in Dharmapuri district
Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected the foothills of Vathalmalai in Dharmapuri district on Tuesday.
He tweeted, “As per the order of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin, we are reviewing the recovery and relief work for the heavy rains in Dharmapuri district. Due to unprecedented heavy rains, the footbridge at the foot of Vathalmalai in Dharmapuri District, Nallampally Union, Dinnahalli Panchayat has been washed away. Today we inspected the restoration work on that land bridge. We encouraged the workers involved in the work and listened to the demands of the public.”
Rahul Gandhi urges Congress workers to help in relief efforts
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi urged party members to help the administration with the relief work. He also said that his thoughts were with those who lost their kin and whose homes were damaged.
Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Devastating news of Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this tragedy. My thoughts are also with those whose homes and property have been damaged.”
“I urge all Congress workers in the state to step forward and help the administration in relief efforts wherever possible,” he said.
