• Cyclone Fengal caused widespread destruction in India and Sri Lanka, claiming 19 lives and causing severe flooding.
• The Indian army was mobilized for relief operations, focusing on the most affected areas.
• Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister called for a central team to assess the damage and shared that nearly 27,000 people have received food aid.
• The response to Cyclone Fengal highlights the need for strong disaster management systems and community resilience.

Cyclone Fengal, a devastating storm that swept across India and Sri Lanka, has claimed at least 19 lives and caused widespread flooding in the Tamil Nadu state and the Puducherry region. The cyclone, which originated from the Bay of Bengal, made landfall on India's southern coast on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Puducherry, a region known for its French colonial heritage, experienced the heaviest 24-hour rainfall in 30 years, according to India's weather office. The cyclone left parts of the southern city of Chennai inundated, disrupting flights temporarily on Saturday. However, operations resumed early Sunday morning, as reported by India's airport authority.

Impact and Response

The cyclone's impact was not limited to India. In Sri Lanka, 16 people lost their lives, and heavy rains affected a total of 138,944 families, according to the latest data from the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo. The Indian army was mobilized to run relief operations in Puducherry, particularly for those in the eye of the storm. As the rainfall eased in Chennai, the army focused its efforts on the most affected areas. Local media visuals showed gusty winds and heavy rainfall, with roads submerged and boats being used to rescue people.

In response to the cyclone, Indian authorities declared red alerts across seven districts in Tamil Nadu. The state government shut schools and urged businesses to allow remote work, ensuring minimal disruption while keeping citizens safe. Authorities continue to monitor the storm's progress, hoping to prevent further loss of life and property. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, led by District Collector Balaraman, was actively involved in rescuing the affected people with the help of boats. The Tamil Nadu Disaster Rescue team removed a tree that fell on the national highway in Chinna Gangankuppam, a border area of Cuddalore and Puducherry, with the help of a JCB machine.

Relief Efforts and Historical Context

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, visited the affected areas and called on the Union government to send a central team to assess the situation and evaluate the crop damage caused by the cyclone. He shared that nearly 27,000 people have received food packets from Amma canteens since Saturday, as part of the relief efforts. He also noted that 21 of Chennai's 23 subways have been successfully cleared of waterlogging.

The cyclone serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of these powerful storms. In the past, similar cyclones have wreaked havoc in the region. For instance, Cyclone Dana, which hit West Bengal in October 2024, resulted in one death and the evacuation of 2.16 lakh people. In the same year, Super Typhoon Yagi made landfall in China, leading to the evacuation of 400,000 people.

As the world grapples with the increasing frequency and intensity of such natural disasters, it is crucial to strengthen disaster management systems and build resilient communities. The response to Cyclone Fengal underscores the importance of swift action, coordination among various agencies, and the active participation of local communities in rescue and relief operations. This event serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.