What's happened
Cyclone Fengal has led to severe flooding and landslides in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, resulting in multiple fatalities and extensive damage. Rescue operations are ongoing, with the army deployed to assist affected communities. The cyclone's remnants continue to threaten further rainfall and landslides in the region as recovery efforts proceed.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reported on the tragic landslide that claimed the lives of a family of seven in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the scale of the disaster with a 170-member rescue team deployed. Maroosha Muzaffar noted that the cyclone's remnants continue to threaten further landslides, with local officials warning of ongoing risks. Namita Singh highlighted the army's involvement in rescue operations in Puducherry, where the highest rainfall in 30 years has been recorded. The South China Morning Post detailed the immediate impacts of the cyclone, including flight suspensions and widespread flooding, while Alisha Rahaman Sarkar provided context on the cyclone's trajectory and its devastating effects in Sri Lanka, where 16 fatalities were reported. These sources collectively illustrate the severe impact of Cyclone Fengal and the ongoing challenges faced by emergency services in the region.
How we got here
Cyclone Fengal made landfall on November 30, 2024, bringing unprecedented rainfall to southern India. The storm has caused significant flooding, landslides, and fatalities, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where emergency services are struggling to manage the aftermath.
More on these topics
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Cyclonic Storm Fengal (feinjal) was a deadly tropical cyclone that brought significant flooding and damage to Southern India and Sri Lanka. The fourth cyclonic storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Fengal originated from a tropical disturba
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Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea.
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Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent and is bordered by the union territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka
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Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is one of the largest cultural, economic and educational centres of south India.
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.