Cyclone Fengal Claims 12 Lives; Tamil Nadu Requests Rs 2,000 Crore Aid

Tamil Nadu (The Uttam Hindu): Cyclone Fengal, which caused widespread devastation across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, has left over 1.5 crore people and 69 lakh families struggling with significant damage, as reported by the state government. On Monday, Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urgently requesting Rs 2,000 crore in aid from the National Disaster Response Fund to address the aftermath of the disaster.

The cyclone, which initially formed as a low-pressure system on November 23, gained strength before making landfall on December 1. It brought heavy rains and wind speeds of up to 90 km/h, affecting districts like Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Tiruvannamalai. Interior areas, including Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Vellore, and Tirupattur, were also severely impacted.

“The cyclone has caused unprecedented devastation in 14 districts of Tamil Nadu,” Stalin stated. He mentioned that the state government had mobilized all available resources to support relief and rehabilitation efforts. “Senior ministers and officials have been sent to oversee operations in the affected districts, while nine teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and nine teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed. Additionally, 38,000 government officials and 1,12,000 trained first responders are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations,” he added.

Relief measures have been put in place, including the establishment of shelters for displaced families and the distribution of food packets. Stalin’s letter also highlighted the extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. The cyclone has led to the tragic loss of 12 lives, the destruction of 2,416 huts, 721 houses, and 963 cattle. It has flooded 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, caused damage to 9,576 km of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 tanks. Additionally, 1,649 km of electric lines, 23,664 electric poles, and 997 transformers have been destroyed. The cyclone also severely impacted 1,650 panchayat buildings, 4,269 anganwadi centers, 205 primary health centers, 5,936 school buildings, 381 community halls, and 623 water supply schemes.