In response to the severe flooding caused by Cyclone Fengal, the Indian Army has carried out extensive rescue operations across Puducherry, including the flood-affected areas of Krishna Nagar, Kuber Nagar, and Jiva Nagar. Hundreds of residents were evacuated, with over 200 lives saved in Krishna Nagar and Kuber Nagar alone. Rescue operations are ongoing in Jiva Nagar, where 30 soldiers have been deployed to assist stranded residents.
Cyclone Fengal brought heavy rainfall, causing over 50 cm of rain to fall overnight, leading to significant flooding. The Indian Army’s quick response began in the early hours of Sunday, with troops mobilized from the Chennai Garrison Battalion to assist in humanitarian relief. A team led by Major Ajay Sangwan covered a distance of 160 km from Chennai to reach the affected areas by 5:30 am. In Krishna Nagar, where water levels rose to nearly five feet, over 100 individuals were evacuated in the first two hours of operations.
Puducherry’s Chief Minister, N Rangasamy, reported that ongoing evacuation efforts are crucial as rescue teams work tirelessly to bring people to safety. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also visited affected areas, inspected relief operations, and requested a central team from the Union government to assess the damage caused by the cyclone, particularly to crops.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Cyclone Fengal had remained stationary for several hours, causing sustained heavy rainfall and flooding in the region. The rescue and relief efforts continue as the region deals with the aftermath of this devastating storm.
