NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Cyclone Fengal claimed at least 19 lives across India and Sri Lanka and caused widespread flooding in Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry region after crossing India’s southern coast from the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.
Puducherry experienced its heaviest 24-hour rainfall in three decades, according to India’s weather office, which shared the information on social media on Sunday. The storm’s intense downpour overwhelmed local infrastructure, leading to severe waterlogging in many areas.
Chennai, the southern city, also bore the brunt of the cyclone’s fury. The powerful winds and heavy rainfall inundated several parts of the city. India’s airport authority temporarily suspended flights from Chennai on Saturday due to the adverse weather conditions. However, by Sunday morning, flights had resumed, bringing some relief to travelers stranded the previous day.
Local media broadcasts showed dramatic visuals of submerged streets, with boats deployed to evacuate residents trapped by the floodwaters. The damage to infrastructure was significant, with many areas left isolated due to the rising waters. Relief efforts were quickly put into motion as authorities struggled to manage the situation.
The Indian army took charge of conducting relief operations in Puducherry, providing aid and rescue efforts to those caught in the cyclone’s devastating path. As rainfall eased in Chennai by Sunday, emergency teams shifted their focus to more heavily affected areas in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
In Sri Lanka, the impact of Cyclone Fengal was equally severe. The storm left 16 people dead and affected over 138,000 families, according to the latest figures from the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo. The heavy rains caused significant disruptions, with many families displaced from their homes due to rising floodwaters.
As the storm system moved inland, the heavy rainfall continued to trigger landslides and localized flooding in parts of southern Sri Lanka. Authorities reported widespread damage to crops and infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Relief teams were dispatched to provide food, medical aid, and temporary shelter to affected families.
The cyclone also caused significant power outages across the region. Both India and Sri Lanka worked quickly to restore electricity to affected areas, though some rural regions remained without power for an extended period. Efforts to clear debris from roads and restore normalcy continued throughout Sunday.
Weather experts warned that the cyclone’s aftereffects might persist for several more days, particularly in coastal regions. Continued rain and the risk of further flooding were expected to impact recovery efforts, as authorities braced for more challenges in the coming days.
Local governments in both countries called for heightened vigilance in flood-prone areas, advising residents to stay indoors until the storm completely subsided. In Chennai, authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel as the city worked to clear roads and assess the damage.
Sri Lanka’s government dispatched additional resources to help those in need, including teams from the military and the Red Cross, who were tasked with providing urgent medical care and distributing food supplies. The relief response in both countries intensified as the full scope of the cyclone’s impact became clearer.
As the storm weakened and began to dissipate by Sunday evening, the focus shifted to long-term recovery. Authorities in India and Sri Lanka began assessing the full extent of the damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture.
The Indian Meteorological Department issued warnings for potential heavy rain in several states, including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, advising caution for those in low-lying areas. In Sri Lanka, flood warnings remained in place as rivers continued to swell.
Cyclone Fengal’s impact on local communities has underscored the vulnerability of southern India and Sri Lanka to severe weather events, particularly as climate change leads to more unpredictable and intense storms. Disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure will be key to mitigating the effects of future cyclones.
While the immediate response efforts focused on rescuing those trapped by the storm, rebuilding efforts are expected to take months. Governments in both countries pledged to provide aid and support to affected communities in the weeks and months ahead, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations.
The devastating cyclone also sparked discussions about the need for stronger disaster preparedness systems in the region. As the floodwaters recede and recovery continues, the lessons learned from Cyclone Fengal will be critical in shaping future disaster management strategies.
Cyclone Fengal’s legacy will be felt for some time, as the affected regions grapple with the physical, economic, and emotional toll of the disaster. The swift response from both India and Sri Lanka’s governments, along with international support, will be crucial in helping communities recover and rebuild.
