Fengal havoc: Landslide in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai claims lives of seven family members
A devastating landslide in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in the loss of seven family members. Following heavy rains from Cyclone Fengal, rescue operations are hampered by ongoing rain and unstable conditions.
Seven people, including five children, lost their lives in Tiruvannamalai when a large rock crashed into their house due to continuous rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal. Four bodies have been recovered and sent to the hospital. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakhs for the grieving family.
Rescue operations, supported by experts from the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, are ongoing but have been delayed due to persistent rain and the threat of another unstable boulder higher up the hill.
Speaking about relief camps set up in affected areas, CM Stalin said that over 7,000 people are currently staying in 147 camps. He stated, "A total of 147 relief camps are operational, accommodating 7,776 people. All necessary arrangements, including water, food, and medical supplies, have been made for them."
Rescue operations are going at the site of the Tiruvannamalai landslide. IIT engineers have been called to assist at the affected location.
A total of 147 relief camps are operational, accommodating 7,776 people. All necessary arrangements, including water, food, and medical supplies, have been made for them.
Moreover, In Villupuram district, 407 personnel from seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams -- 15 teams in total -- are working on relief efforts.In Cuddalore, 56 personnel from NDRF and SDRF are engaged in operations, while in Tiruvannamalai, a 30-member team is handling rescue work, as reported by ANI.
(With inputs from ANI)
As reported by PTI, the River Thenpennai was overflowing, trees were uprooted in multiple areas, and electricity poles were tilted due to the heavy rains. In Aragandanallur, Villupuram, many houses, especially tiled ones, were nearly submerged with water levels rising over 4 feet. Parts of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in western Tamil Nadu also experienced severe flooding, the worst in two decades. Uthangarai in Krishnagiri received 50 cm of rainfall, Villupuram received up to 42 cm, and Harur in Dharmapuri recorded 33 cm. Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai saw 16 cm of rainfall, all within a 24-hour period from 8:30 am on December 1 to 8:30 am on December 2.
In Villupuram alone, 3,617 people were sheltered in 65 relief camps, and 15 disaster response teams were deployed. Floods in Uthangarai dragged vehicles, including those owned by local tour operators, into low-lying areas. The flooding severely affected road access between Uthangarai, Krishnagiri, and Tiruvannamalai. The extreme rainfall was attributed to the remnants of Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall near Puducherry on the night of November 30.
As the water level rose above danger levels on a key bridge between Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam in Villupuram, Southern Railway suspended operations on the affected stretch, causing cancellations, diversions, and short-term terminations of express and superfast trains. This led to overcrowding at the bus station and disrupted traffic on the crucial Chennai-Tiruchirappalli national highway, particularly in and around Villupuram.
(With inputs from PTI)
Key Takeaways
- Landslides pose significant risks in areas affected by heavy rainfall and cyclones.
- Emergency response teams play a crucial role in disaster relief and recovery operations.
- Government preparedness and community support are essential for managing large-scale displacement due to natural disasters.
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Business NewsNewsIndiaFengal havoc: Landslide in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai claims lives of seven family members
First Published:3 Dec 2024, 07:16 AM IST
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