Chennai/ New Delhi

Cyclone Fengal has caused severe devastation across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, affecting 1.5 crore people, inundating 2.11 lakh hectares of farmland, and damaging critical infrastructure.

 Amid this crisis, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the families of seven individuals, including five children, who lost their lives in a tragic landslide in Thiruvannamalai district. The incident occurred when a massive rock, dislodged by heavy rains, fell on a house in VOC Nagar.

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Stalin has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and send a central team to assess the extensive damages. The Chief Minister has emphasized the urgency of restoration and rehabilitation efforts, citing the unprecedented havoc wrought by the cyclone.

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In response, PM Modi called CM Stalin to express condolences and assured all possible support from the Union Government. Schools and colleges in several districts remain closed due to continuous heavy rainfall, with more expected in the coming days as per the India Meteorological Department. Rescue and relief operations, including efforts by the National Disaster Response Force, are ongoing across the affected areas.