Due to the heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Cyclone Fengal, several regions in Southern India, including Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, are grappling with severe weather disruptions. As of Tuesday, December 3, schools, colleges, and universities have been forced to close, and numerous precautionary alerts have been issued by the authorities.
In Puducherry, where Cyclone Fengal has brought unprecedented rainfall, the government has announced the closure of all government, government-aided, and private schools, as well as colleges. Education Minister A Namassivayam confirmed that schools will remain closed after the region received 50 centimeters of rain overnight—the highest recorded in the last 30 years. The intensity of the rainfall has made it unsafe for both students and staff, prompting the shutdown of educational institutions.
Similarly, schools in Tamil Nadu’s Uthangarai and Pochampalli in Krishnagiri district were closed due to floods caused by the cyclone. Additionally, the devastating effects of the cyclone on agriculture have been widespread. It is reported that 1,29,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Tiruvannamalai districts. The floods have disrupted lives and livelihoods, with Annamalai University canceling scheduled exams in Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Kallakurichi districts. These exams are expected to be rescheduled at a later date.
Weather alerts have been issued for several regions across Southern India. A Yellow Alert remains in place for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa, and Karnataka, while Kerala has been given an Orange Alert due to forecasts of heavy rainfall in isolated areas. Northern Karnataka, particularly Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts, are under a Red Alert, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall and the possibility of severe flooding. The districts of Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam in Kerala are on Orange Alert, with Kottayam and Pathanamthitta on Yellow Alert.
In response to the extreme weather conditions, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been mobilized. An NDRF team is on standby in Wayanad, while a total of five NDRF teams are stationed across Kerala to assist with rescue and relief operations. Fishermen in the affected coastal regions of Kerala and Karnataka have been advised not to venture out into the sea due to rough conditions.
As the cyclone continues to impact the region, Lakshadweep is also expected to receive isolated rainfall on December 4 and 5. Fishermen in the Lakshadweep area are being urged to avoid venturing into the sea on December 4, 5, and 6 as a precautionary measure.
In Tamil Nadu, railway operations have been suspended in several areas, further disrupting daily life and transportation. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are advising residents to stay informed and follow safety guidelines as the cyclone continues its course.
