On 16 December 2024, residents from over 14 villages in Cuddalore and Viluppuram districts staged protests and road blockades, expressing their frustration over not receiving the promised flood relief of ₹2,000. A promised relief that was announced by the Tamil Nadu government as a relief package for affected family based on their ration cards.
Cyclone Fengal caused widespread destruction across Tamil Nadu, severely impacting districts such as Villupuram and Cuddalore. The heavy rains claimed at least 14 lives across these areas, including six in Vikravandi, two in Thiruvennainallur, five in Villupuram, and one in Vanur. Thiruvennainallur taluk, particularly the villages of Yemappur, Arakandanallur, and Devanur, faced extensive damage, with homes, roads, electric poles, livestock, and agricultural fields all suffering significant destruction.
In response, residents from villages like Omandur, Uppuvelur, Kiliyanur, Vadasiruvalur, and Athanapattu in Villupuram district staged a road blockade on the Tindivanam-Puducherry road, resulting in a traffic jam that lasted for over an hour. Police intervened, assured the protesters that flood relief would be provided, and the blockade was eventually called off.
In Cuddalore, a large group of women gathered in Sanniyasipettai to demand the promised flood relief. When the protesters refused to disperse, police forcibly detained them. Some were confined to a nearby wedding hall, while others were dragged into police vehicles, causing an uproar in the area.
பெண்கள் வலுக்கட்டாயமாக கைது #cuddalore #fengalcyclone #protest #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/v00yXPqarZ
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) December 16, 2024
At the same time, residents in Cuddalore staged a protest at the Collectorate, demanding urgent measures to strengthen the banks of the Thenpennai River to prevent future flooding. The situation grew tense when police attempted to stop them, leading to a heated confrontation.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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