Cyclone Fengal: After landfall between Puducherry and neighboring Tamil Nadu on November 30, Cyclone Fengal weakened on Sunday, but heavy rain continues. The remnants of Cyclonic Storm Fengal weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over North Interior Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Monday, December 2.
The depression is expected to re-emerge over the southeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea near the Kerala-Karnataka coastline by December 3.
So far, cyclone Fengal has claimed 19 lives in India and Sri Lanka, with widespread flooding, road blockages, and power outages disrupting life. In Chennai, three people died from electrocution due to rain-related incidents.
According to the last update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the remnant of the cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry moved nearly westwards. It weakened into a ‘Well Marked Low-Pressure Area’ at 5:30 a.m. on Monday. The IMD said that the remnant low-pressure area will likely emerge over the southeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea off north Kerala-Karnataka coasts around December 3.
Schools closed in Puducherry
Education minister A Namachivayam announced a holiday for all government and private schools, as well as colleges, on Tuesday, December 3, due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal.
Puducherry, one of the worst-affected areas, witnessed its heaviest 24-hour rainfall in 30 years. The cyclone, which landed near the Union Territory on November 30, prompted Army-led rescue efforts to evacuate stranded residents. Over 600 people were rescued, while roads and homes remained submerged.
Flooding in Villupuram and Cuddalore has been severe, with the Thenpennai River in spate and inundation cutting off access between key towns. Rescue teams in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district, along with hydraulic lifts and sniffer dogs, are working to locate seven family members trapped in a mudslide caused by the heavy rainfall.
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