Cyclone Fengal, which crossed the coast near Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, weakened into a deep depression on Sunday. But heavy rains and flooding continued to batter several parts of the state and the union territory. Krishnagiri district was among the worst-hit, with reports of vehicles being washed away from roads into low-lying areas.
Visuals from Krishnagiri show massive floodwaters flooding the Uthangiri bus station, with a number of buses and vehicles completely submerged. Some vehicles are also seen being swept away by the powerful floodwaters. According to officials, Krishnagiri has been receiving non-stop rainfall for over 14 hours, with maximum levels recorded at Uthangarai last night.
Relief and rescue operations continue in full swing to resettle stranded people in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In a daring operation using an inflated boat, Indian Army had on Friday morning safely rescued the eight-month-old infant trapped inside a floodwater-submerged house at Puducherry.
Volunteers from the IIT Madras, in an operation led by the state team, are participating in extricating the family struck under the falling debris after a landslide struck near Karukkalpatti in this Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu. So far, the NDRF rescue operations were mainly in the Cuddalore district through boats.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy rainfall alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Nilgiris, Erode, Coimbatore, and others. The weather department has also issued an ‘orange’ alert for heavy rains in Karnataka and surrounding districts, expected to remain in effect till Tuesday. All private and government schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu have been closed for the day. Chief Minister MK Stalin said more than 7,000 people were rescued and sheltered in 147 shelter camps.
