Cyclone Fengal weakens; Normal life disrupted in Tamil Nadu-Puducherry

Cyclone Fengal, which originated in the Bay of Bengal, died out on Sunday after crossing the coast near Puducherry. This cyclone disturbed the Union Territory with its impact. Army personnel had to intervene to rescue people from the flooded areas. People said they had not seen such a fury for the last three decades. Heavy rains also destroyed Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin termed the rains in the district as unprecedented. Operations at Chennai Airport were suspended on Saturday but resumed at midnight. Many flights were also canceled and many took off late.

The weather office posted on social media platform X, saying, Cyclone Fengal over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has now weakened. It is now likely to move westwards and weaken into a depression over north Tamil Nadu during the next 12 hours. Normal life in Puducherry was disrupted due to this cyclone, which received up to 46 cm of rain here.

Education Minister A. Namachivayam said, "Due to continuous heavy rains, a holiday has been declared in all government and government-aided schools, and all colleges in Puducherry tomorrow."

Heavy rains under the influence of Cyclone Fengal inundated the outskirts of the Boulevard border. Trees were uprooted in many areas. Power supply was disrupted in most of the areas from 11 pm on Saturday. The government set up relief centers for people evacuated from low-lying areas. Transport services are affected owing to this cyclone. Voluntary organizations such as Puducherry Heritage Round Table 167 joined the government's effort to distribute food packets to those staying in the relief camps.

In some of the affected places, boats were sent across to evacuate the flood-hit local people. As many as 1,116 people have been accommodated in 32 relief camps. They are provided with food and water. It said 9.10 lakh food packets were distributed till Sunday.