Mon Dec 02 12:47:51 UTC 2024: ## Tamil Nadu Battered by Landslides and Unprecedented Floods in Cyclone Fengal’s Wake

**Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu –** Heavy rainfall, a consequence of Cyclone Fengal, has triggered devastating landslides and unprecedented floods across Tamil Nadu, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least six lives.

A series of landslides in the temple town of Tiruvannamalai has resulted in tragedy. On Sunday, a boulder crashed into a residential building, trapping seven people. At least four fatalities have been confirmed, with three remaining trapped amidst ongoing rescue efforts hampered by persistent rain and the threat of further landslides. A second landslide occurred near a local temple on Monday. Rescue teams, including experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, are working tirelessly despite challenging conditions.

The torrential downpour, which began after Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Chennai on Saturday, has caused widespread flooding, particularly in the Viluppuram district. Bridges have been washed away, and overflowing rivers have blocked access to numerous villages and residential areas. Agricultural lands have also suffered extensive damage, and rail traffic has been disrupted. Dramatic videos circulating online depict vehicles, including buses, being swept away by floodwaters in Uthangarai, Krishnagiri district, which received 50 centimeters of rain in 24 hours.

Other districts, including Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, have also experienced record flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes the extreme rainfall to the remnants of Cyclone Fengal, now a strong low-pressure area over northern Tamil Nadu. Rainfall alerts have been issued for northern Kerala and southern Karnataka as the system is expected to intensify and move towards the Arabian Sea.

The aftermath of Cyclone Fengal has also affected Chennai, where airport operations were temporarily suspended due to flooding over the weekend. At least two additional deaths have been reported, including a migrant worker electrocuted while attempting to withdraw cash from an ATM. Fengal previously impacted Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 12 fatalities. The total death toll from the cyclone and its aftermath continues to rise.

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