Tamil Nadu officially declares Cyclone Fengal a major natural disaster-Telangana Today

The state government announces a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives due to the cyclone.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared Cyclone Fengal a serious natural disaster. This statement, published in the official State gazette under the Department of Disaster Management, facilitates the mobilization of funds for relief and reconstruction efforts.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives due to the cyclone. Residents of the worst affected districts – Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore — will receive Rs 2,000 each as immediate financial assistance.

Additionally, the State has requested a substantial financial package of over Rs 6,000 crore from the central government to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the cyclone-affected areas. The relief measures announced by the Tamil Nadu government include financial assistance of Rs 2,000 for ration card holders whose livelihoods have been affected in Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts.

Crop compensation includes Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated crops (including rice) damaged by 33 percent or more, Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops and trees with damage greater than 33 percent; compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare for rainfed crops damaged by 33 percent or more.

The state government has assessed compensation of Rs 37,500 for each lost buffalo or cow; 4,000 rupees for each lost goat or sheep and 100 rupees for each lost chicken. An amount of Rs 10,000 will be provided as compensation for mud huts damaged by floods. Chief Minister MK Stalin in a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modihighlighted the widespread devastation caused by the cyclone, which brought torrential rains and strong winds across the state.

It may be noted that during the rains followed by Cyclone Fengal, 12 people died and 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural lands were flooded. The cyclone destroyed 1,649 kilometers of electrical conductors, 23,664 electrical poles and 997 transformers. It also caused damage to 9,576 kilometers of roads, 1,847 sewers and 417 tanks. Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Kallakurichi districts experienced more than 50 cm of rain in a single day, equivalent to an entire season’s average, causing severe flooding.