Cyclone Fengal:Villupuram braces for cyclone impact

Cyclone Fengal brings heavy rain to Villupuram district, prompting evacuations and relief efforts by government agencies.

Heavy rain lashed various parts of Villupuram district on Saturday with Cyclone Fengal nearing the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Under the influence of the weather system, several coastal hamlets in Villupuram district started receiving heavy rain from morning.

With wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph expected to prevail along the coastal regions, the district administration evacuated people from low-lying areas in Marakkanam, Kottakuppam and Bommayarpalayam and accommodated them in cyclone shelters and relief centres.

Large swathes of salt pans in Marakkanam were washed away due to heavy rain. A number of trees on the arterial East Coast Road were also uprooted while paddy fields at Ekkiyarkuppam and many hamlets in Marakkanam were inundated. Several stretches of the East Coast Road were flooded and vehicles had a tough time negotiating their way along the road.

Minister for Forests K. Ponmudy visited Marakkanam and Vanur and reviewed the precautionary measures being undertaken by various government agencies, in view of the cyclonic storm.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister said that a 40-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in Marakkanam. The team with necessary rescue equipment, including life jackets, inflatable boats and cutting equipment would visit the affected areas.

Mr. Ponmudy accompanied by Collector C. Palani visited the cyclone shelter at Koonimedukuppam and interacted with the people accommodated at the centre. The Health Department has deployed medical teams at relief centres in Marakkanam, Kottakuppam, Thanthirayankuppam and Bommayarpalayam to provide medical support to shelter-displaced families, he said.