Tue Dec 03 01:14:52 UTC 2024: **Tamil Nadu Battered by Landslides and Unprecedented Floods in Cyclone Fengal’s Aftermath**
TIRUVANNAMALAI, Tamil Nadu—Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Cyclone Fengal has triggered devastating landslides and unprecedented floods across Tamil Nadu, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least nine lives.
A family of seven perished on Sunday when a boulder, dislodged by a landslide on the slopes of Annamalaiyar Hill in Tiruvannamalai, crashed into their home. A second landslide struck near a local temple on Monday. Rescue efforts, hampered by persistent heavy rain and the threat of further landslides, are ongoing with the assistance of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai.
The state’s northern districts, particularly Viluppuram, are grappling with catastrophic flooding. Bridges have been washed away, isolating villages and residential areas. Extensive crop damage and disruptions to rail traffic have also been reported. Dramatic videos circulating online show buses being swept away by floodwaters in Uthangarai, Krishnagiri district, which experienced 50 centimeters of rain in 24 hours. Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts also saw record flooding.
The India Meteorological Department 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 over the Arabian Sea.
The devastation follows the disruption caused by Cyclone Fengal itself. Chennai airport experienced flooding and flight cancellations over the weekend, and at least two additional deaths have been reported, including a migrant worker electrocuted while attempting to withdraw money from an ATM. Earlier this week, Cyclone Fengal impacted Sri Lanka, resulting in at least twelve fatalities. The ongoing situation in Tamil Nadu remains critical, with rescue and recovery efforts continuing amidst the relentless rain.
First Piper 