Buses submerged, rescue efforts intensify as Cyclone Fengal floods Tamil Nadu

Severe flooding in Tamil Nadu and parts of Puducherry has left vehicles submerged and citizens stranded as Cyclone Fengal wreaks havoc in the region. Dramatic visuals from the Uthangarai area in Krishnagiri district showed buses swept away by strong flood currents after the area experienced over 14 hours of continuous rainfall. Relief and rescue operations are now in full swing to assist affected residents.

Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall on Saturday, has weakened into a deep depression, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Despite its reduced intensity, it continues to cause widespread damage, with heavy rains inundating large areas across northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The rising waters have led to mass evacuations, with relief teams deployed to rescue stranded individuals.

In Puducherry, an Indian Army team rescued an infant trapped in a house surrounded by floodwaters using an inflatable boat. Meanwhile, volunteers from IIT Madras assisted in a challenging rescue operation involving a family caught under a landslide in Tiruvannamalai. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is conducting rescues in flood-hit areas like Cuddalore, utilizing boats to reach remote locations.

The IMD has issued a red alert for northern Kerala, predicting significant rainfall as Cyclone Fengal transitions into a strong low-pressure system moving toward the Arabian Sea. Key districts such as Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram are on high alert, while central Kerala districts face an orange alert. Southern districts are under a yellow alert, indicating a slightly lower risk level.

Karnataka is also bracing for rainfall, with Bengaluru and surrounding districts like Hassan, Mandya, and Ramanagara issued yellow alerts. Rainfall in Karnataka is expected to persist for the next two days, though the intensity may decrease by Wednesday, according to the IMD.

Cyclone Fengal has left a trail of destruction, disrupting transportation, forcing school closures, and displacing thousands. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to stay cautious and adhere to evacuation directives as relief efforts ramp up across affected states.