Cyclone Fengal causes relentless flooding, prompting emergency rescue of residents from submerged areas
by ShravyaResidents were forced to be rescued by lifeboats from NDRF officials amid the severe conditions caused by Cyclone Fengal, which threatened their lives and required prompt evacuation and relocation from the flooded regions.
The incident took place in the Villianur commune of Puducherry district, Tamil Nadu, in southern India on December 1.
Visuals show residents stranded atop their homes, as the floods had submerged most of the region, leaving houses partially underwater. One individual was spotted gripping a rope while rescue workers on a lifeboat drew near. Intense winds lashed the area, with trees struggling to withstand the cyclone’s force. In another set of visuals, residents were observed descending from their rooftops and making their way to the lifeboats, which offered them a means of escape.
According to reports, Cyclone Fengal made landfall on November 30, wreaking havoc across several districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Continuous rainfall caused severe flooding, particularly in Cuddalore, where residential areas were submerged, forcing local disaster teams to use boats for rescue operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), led by District Collector Balaraman, has been working tirelessly to evacuate stranded residents, while local rescue teams have been using heavy machinery to clear fallen trees blocking highways, especially in the Chinna Gangankuppam area, which lies along the border between Cuddalore and Puducherry.
The cyclone made landfall close to Puducherry, approximately 30 km north of Cuddalore, and lingered in the area for hours, exacerbating the effects of the heavy rainfall. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that, as of early Sunday morning, Cyclone Fengal had not shifted in the past six hours, although it was anticipated to weaken into a deep depression soon. A red alert has been issued for northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of southern Andhra Pradesh due to the harsh weather conditions.