The Cyclone Fengal has flooded several parts of Tamil Nadu and vast properties have been destroyed as many cars were pulled out of water in the Uthangarai village of Krishnagiri district. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister MK Stalin and assured full support in dealing with the impending calamity, as per the sources.
Stalin, however, did not seem satisfied with the response of the Centre on the issue and lamented the fact that parliament was not discussing its impact. “MPs were not allowed to address Cyclone Fengal. We are fulfilling our responsibility by assessing damages and sending a report. They must respond, but they are refusing. Regardless, we are doing our best,” Stalin stated.
At the same time, the motion moved by Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore in the Parliament demanded a special relief fund for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry due to the number of deaths and extent of damage. He emphasized Stalin’s demand for ₹22,000 crore relief for Tamil Nadu and ₹2,500 crore for Puducherry.
Relief Efforts Intensify Across Tamil Nadu
Both rescues, as well as relief operations, are being carried out in full scale. According to the report, 407 members from the NDRF and SDRF are working in Villupuram, and 56 members are in Cuddalore. Down South, in Tiruvannamalai where a landslide took seven people’s lives, a 30-member team including IIT engineers are working to reinforce the particular area.
Chief Minister Stalin revealed that currently, 18 rescue teams including 493 members are still working throughout the state. In excess of 7700 people have sought refuge in 147 relief camps where food, water, and medical assistance are being distributed.
Persistent, heavy rains have caused closures of educational institutions in the affected districts. In Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Puducherry, schools, and colleges are shut, and in Salem, Ranipet, and Tiruvannamalai only schools are closed.
Calls for Solidarity
Indian Congress Party president Rahul Gandhi said that several people have died in the state and appealed to Congress workers in Tamil Nadu to actively participate in the rescue operations. “My thoughts are with those affected by Cyclone Fengal. Congress workers must step forward to aid relief operations,” he posted on social media.
Storm Fengal, which struck on the 30th of November, has had its human toll. But, few rescue teams are doing their best to rescue the trapped citizens and to make the functionality of the area in a normal way.
