Tamil Nadu Rains: 12 Deaths, 1.5 Crore Affected

The death toll in Tamil Nadu due to rains have taken 12 lives and left 1.5 crore affected, Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Monday.

The unprecedented rains triggered due to Cyclone Fengal has impacted 69 lakh families in 14 districts.

"Cyclone Fengal has wreaked unprecedented havoc across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, affecting 1.5 crore people, inundating 2.11 lakh hectares of farmland, and damaging critical infrastructure. Given the magnitude of destruction, I urge Hon'ble @PMOIndia Thiru. @NarendraModi to release Rs2000 crore from the NDRF immediately to aid emergency restoration and rehabilitation efforts," Stalin said in a post on X.

The Chief Minister saud that 38,000 government officials and 1,12,000 trained first responders are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations across Tamil Nadu in the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal. The estimated damage caused by the rains is Rs 2475 crore.

The remnants of the cyclone are expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a heavy rain alert for Tuesday across north interior Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. According to the IMD, a low-pressure area associated with the cyclone is likely to emerge in the southeast and east-central Arabian Sea near the north Kerala-Karnataka coast around December 3, according to a report in PTI.

"In Parliament, MPs were not allowed to speak about Cyclone Fengal. As part of our responsibility, we are assessing the damages and will send a report. That is our duty and responsibility. It is also their responsibility to respond, but they are refusing to do so. Despite this, we are doing our best," ANI quoted Stalin as telling reporters in Chennai.

Stalin also took aim at Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, accusing the AIADMK leader of focusing solely on making baseless allegations. "Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami's only responsibility seems to be leveling accusations against us. However, people know under which government welfare schemes are implemented effectively," Stalin added.

Meanwhile, the Regional Meterological Centre has issued a yellow alert for Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur and Tirupattur districts.