Life in Puducherry and adjoining areas continue to remain disrupted following Cyclone Fengal, which brought record-breaking rainfall not seen in the region for 30 years. The Meteorological Department reported 48.37 cm of rainfall in Puducherry from yesterday morning till today morning, marking the highest cumulative 24-hour rainfall in three decades. While the rains subsided this afternoon, occasional light showers and moderate winds continue to hamper recovery efforts.
According to the latest alert from the Meteorological Department, Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall near Puducherry last night, has weakened into a deep depression. The system remains stationary over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and is expected to move westward slowly, weakening further into a depression over north Tamil Nadu in the next 12 hours.
Severe waterlogging continues to plague multiple areas in Puducherry, leaving hundreds of residents stranded in their homes. Many housing colonies remain inundated, with rainwater entering homes and submerging parked vehicles. Rescue operations are ongoing, with the Army’s Chennai Garrison Battalion and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) evacuating affected residents. Approximately 120 relief centers have been opened across Puducherry to shelter displaced people. Under the Disaster Management Act, all government and private colleges, as well as private schools, have been designated as relief facilities to accommodate those in need. The government has declared holiday for all schools and colleges in Puducherry for tomorrow. Cyclone Fengal has caused widespread damage to infrastructure, with uprooted trees disrupting power and internet services. The electricity supply, cut off since last evening, is yet to be restored in most areas. Puducherry’s Electricity Minister A. Namachivayam hold a review meeting with chief engineers and directed them to identify damaged substations and expedite restoration efforts. He also visited affected sites to assess the extent of the damage. Shops and business establishments remain largely closed, while residents flock to the few open stores to stock up on essentials. Fuel scarcity is another challenge, as only a limited number of petrol pumps are operational due to power outages. Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly R. Selvam, and other people representatives have visited rain-affected areas to review relief measures. The district administration, in coordination with voluntary organizations, is providing food to those in shelters.
