News Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Fengal Unleashes Devastation In Krishnagiri And Tiruvannamalai Districts

December 2, 2024
The Commune

Cyclone Fengal has left a devastating impact across Tamil Nadu, with the districts of Uthangarai in Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai bearing the brunt of the disaster. The cyclone’s torrential rains and strong winds have caused widespread destruction, claiming lives, displacing thousands, and crippling infrastructure.

Uthangarai: A Region Submerged

Uthangarai has been hardest hit in Krishnagiri district, recording an unprecedented 503 mm of rainfall. The relentless downpour caused the breach of a lake near the Uthangarai bus stand, resulting in flash floods that washed away vehicles, including cars and maxi cabs. Areas such as Anna Nagar, Kamarajar Nagar, and Kalaignar Nagar were inundated, with over 20 vehicles submerged near Parasan Lake Bund.

 

Krishnagiri District Affected

The floods also affected Kennedy Nagar near Singarapettai, forcing emergency evacuations. Rising water levels in the Pambar River, which saw 15,000 cusecs of water released, compounded the crisis. Krishnagiri district received a total of 1,952.7 mm of rain, with other areas like Pochampalli (250 mm), Pambar Dam (205 mm), and Barur (200.2 mm) also severely affected.

Emergency teams, including the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed to assist with rescue operations. Over 100 personnel are working to evacuate stranded residents and provide relief. So far, 368 people, including 87 children, have been sheltered in eight relief centers across Uthangarai and Pochampalli taluks. Despite these efforts, many remain trapped without access to food and water due to power outages and flooded streets.

Krishnagiri District Collector K.M. Sarayu has urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate and avoid flood-prone zones. However, logistical challenges, including damaged power and communication networks, have hampered rescue and relief efforts.

Tiruvannamalai: Lives Lost and Landslides

Cyclone Fengal’s rains in neighbouring Tiruvannamalai district led to tragic loss of life and significant damage. Three people died in rain-related incidents: a four-year-old boy and a two-year-old drowned in separate accidents, while a 50-year-old man was electrocuted after touching an electrified iron gate.

A landslide near the lower slopes of Annamalaiyar Hill buried several huts, trapping a family of seven, including five children. Persistent rains and unstable terrain have hampered rescue operations, though NDRF teams resumed efforts early Monday.

The district received 142.48 mm of rain on Sunday, flooding major roads such as Mada Veedi, Durgai Amman Kovil Street, and Gandhi Nagar. Floodwaters inundated the Kali Amman Temple on the Girivalam route, while a road in Paliyampattu village collapsed due to incessant rains.

District Collector D. Baskara Pandian has been overseeing rescue operations, which remain challenging due to continuous rainfall. Nearly 500 residents were evacuated to safer locations, even as the situation remains precarious.

 

Authorities Launch Relief Operations

Local authorities and disaster response teams in both districts are working tirelessly to provide relief to affected communities. Over 60,000 food packets have been distributed in Krishnagiri, and efforts to restore power and communication are underway. In Tiruvannamalai, rescue teams search for those trapped while addressing immediate needs such as shelter and food.

Political leaders, including Krishnagiri MLA K.P. Munusamy and District Monitoring Officer Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, have visited affected areas to oversee relief operations. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Weatherman R. Pradeep John has warned of continued heavy rainfall in several districts as Cyclone Fengal moves westward.

Notably, most Tamil media have not been sufficiently focused on the tragedies in the affected districts. This could slow relief efforts and leave the victims stranded and vulnerable for an extended period.

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