Lagatar24 Desk
Chennai: A second landslide hit the temple town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu on Monday, worsening the impact of Cyclone Fengal, which has already caused widespread destruction in the state. The fresh landslide occurred near a temple, close to the site where a boulder had trapped five to seven people in a residential building on Sunday.
The first landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall from the cyclone, struck the lower slopes of the Annamalaiyar Hill at 4:30 pm on Sunday. Rescue operations have been challenging due to relentless rain and the precarious positioning of another boulder uphill. So far, two individuals have been rescued, but at least one death has been reported.
Floods and Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu
The remnants of Cyclone Fengal have caused incessant rainfall across Tamil Nadu, leading to severe flooding in multiple districts:
•Viluppuram District: Facing unprecedented floods with washed-out bridges and overflowing rivers. Villages and residential areas remain inaccessible.
•Western Tamil Nadu: Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts reported record rainfall. Uthangarai received 50 cm in 24 hours, while Villupuram recorded 42 cm and Harur 33 cm.
•Chennai Airport: Operations were disrupted over the weekend due to flooding, leading to flight cancellations and passenger inconvenience.
Videos have emerged online showing vehicles, including buses, being swept away by floodwaters in Uthangarai, which witnessed 14 hours of continuous rain.
Weather Updates and Further Alerts
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD):
•The remnants of Cyclone Fengal have intensified into a strong low-pressure area over northern Tamil Nadu.
•Heavy rainfall alerts have been issued for northern Kerala and southern Karnataka as the system moves toward the Arabian Sea.
Casualties and Tragic Incidents
•Two deaths have been reported in Tamil Nadu due to rain-related incidents.
•In Chennai, a migrant worker was electrocuted while attempting to withdraw cash from an ATM submerged in floodwaters.
•Cyclone Fengal had earlier skirted Sri Lanka, claiming 12 lives, including six children.
Rescue Operations
A team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Chennai is aiding rescue efforts in Tiruvannamalai. Authorities are working against time as heavy rain persists, threatening further landslides.
The state continues to battle the aftereffects of Cyclone Fengal, with restoration and relief efforts underway to address the devastation caused by the natural calamity.
