The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) has placed Tiruvanamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts on red alert after Cyclone Fengal weakened into a deep depression. IMD said that the weather system was likely to move westwards now.
Villupuram received the highest rainfall in Tamil Nadu during this cyclone, recording a staggering 498 mm of rain. Cuddalore received the second highest rainfall in the state with 179 mm.
In view of the heavy rainfall, Chief Minister MK Stalin has assigned six ministers along with several senior IAS officers to coordinate relief measures in both districts, he said in a press meet. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Electricity Senthil Balaji and Minister for the Forest Department K Ponmudi are among those deployed to oversee rescue and relief efforts.
The CM also said that 1,373 people have been sheltered in 26 relief camps in both Villupuram and Cuddalore districts.
Widespread crop damages have been reported due to overflowing waterbodies. Visuals showed a journalist from the Tamil news channel Puthiyathalaimurai rescuing a six-month old child in Pandia Nagar in Villupuram by carrying the child in a bucket through flood waters. Water also rose to hip-level at Villupuram’s Kottaikuppam, where around 2,000 families reside. Water had seeped into many homes and several people reported that essential items got washed away. Visuals of half submerged vehicles are also coming in from multiple locations in the district.
Similar scenes have been reported from Cuddalore. Residents in KN Pettai told Puthiyathalaimurai that no relief measures had reached them and that they did not have access even to essentials.
According to private weather blogger Pradeep John, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Tirupattur are also set to receive heavy rains as the weather system continues on its route. The Regional Metrological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has also issued an orange alert to Thiruvallur, Vellore, Tiruppattar, Dharmapuri, Salem, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thirunelveli and Tenkasi districts, besides Karaikal area.