Indian region devastated by Cyclone Fengal (VIDEO)

Several areas of southern India have been impacted by Cyclone Fengal, which struck the country on Saturday. Parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states and Puducherry union territory were affected, causing infrastructure damage, significant agricultural losses, and fatalities due to heavy rain.

Twelve people were confirmed dead by local authorities as of Tuesday. The storm has displaced thousands and wreaked havoc across 14 districts, damaging roads and electricity lines.

The cyclone first made landfall near Chennai on November 30, unleashing severe flooding – primarily in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The Sankaraparani River in Puducherry overflowed, inundating over 200 homes in NR Nagar, leaving residents stranded.

Rescue operations the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are currently underway involving, who are deploying boats to navigate flooded streets and facilitate evacuations. 

On Tuesday, Puducherry Education Minister A. Namachivayam announced that all government and private schools, as well as colleges, will remain closed. The region experienced a staggering 50cm of rain overnight, marking the highest levels seen in 30 years according to local media reports.

In response to the cyclone’s impact, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy announced relief assistance of 5,000 Indian rupees (around $59) per resident affected by the storm. “Additionally, 10,000 hectares of crops have been damaged,” he said in announcing compensation for affected farmers. The cyclone inflicted extensive damage, including to 50 boats, prompting the government to allocate funds for their repair.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate financial assistance of 20 billion rupees ($230 million) from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), according to the Indian Express. Stalin emphasized that the cyclone overwhelmed the state’s resources, urging the central government to expedite relief efforts.

Cyclone Fengal also brought torrential rain to southern Karnataka state on Tuesday, prompting authorities in multiple districts to declare holidays for schools and colleges.