All schools and colleges will remain closed in four districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall from Cyclone Fengal. “In view of the heavy rains, all schools in the Nilgiris district will remain closed on December 3, 2024,” District Magistrate Lakshmi Bhavya announced on Tuesday.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain due to Cyclonic Storm Fengal, due to which schools and colleges in Villupuram, Cuddalore and Puducherry districts will also remain closed on Tuesday. In other districts like Ranipet, Salem and Tiruvannamalai only schools will remain closed.
Schools in Kallakurichi, under Thirukovilur Town, and schools in Krishnagiri, under Pochampally, Uthangarai taluk, will also remain closed due to rain. Earlier on Monday, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the cyclone affected areas of Dharmapuri district of the state. He also inspected the restoration work of the land bridge at the foothills of Vathalmalai in the district.
Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the central government for not allowing MPs to discuss the impact of the cyclone in Parliament. CM Stalin told reporters in Chennai, “MPs were not allowed to speak about Cyclone Fungal in Parliament. As part of our responsibility, we are assessing the damage and will send a report. This is our duty and responsibility. Reply It is also their responsibility to give, but they are refusing to do so. Despite this, we are trying our best.”
He also criticized Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, saying that AIADMK leaders continue to make allegations, but the public knows how good the state government’s schemes are. The Chief Minister praised the work of district officials and relief teams amid the floods and heavy rains caused by the cyclone.
He said, “Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, Public Representatives, Coordination Officers, District Collectors and rescue and relief teams are working with dedication. I am personally monitoring the situation so that normalcy can be restored. I have informed the officials on the ground It is advised to complete all the work at this level immediately.”
He assured that people affected by the cyclone will be given adequate compensation for losses including loss of livestock, houses or life and property. Giving details of the relief efforts, the Chief Minister said that 18 rescue teams comprising 493 members are actively carrying out operations in different districts. In Villupuram district, 407 personnel from seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and eight teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) – a total of 15 teams – are working on relief operations.
In Cuddalore, 56 personnel of NDRF and SDRF are engaged in the rescue operation, while in Tiruvannamalai a team of 30 members is handling the rescue operations. “Rescue operations are underway at the Tiruvannamalai landslide site. IIT engineers have been called to assist at the affected site,” the Chief Minister said. Speaking about the relief camps set up in the affected areas, CM Stalin said that more than 7,000 people are currently living in 147 camps. “A total of 147 relief camps are operational, housing 7,776 people. All necessary arrangements including water, food and medical supplies have been made for them,” he said.
