Tamil Nadu Government Classifies Cyclone Fengal as Major Natural Catastrophe
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Chennai, Jan 4 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu government has officially classified Cyclone Fengal as a major natural catastrophe.
This classification, published in the state’s official gazette under the Department of Disaster Management, enables the mobilization of funds for relief and reconstruction initiatives.
The state government has declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives due to the cyclone. Residents from the severely affected districts -- Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore -- will each receive Rs 2,000 as immediate financial assistance.
Furthermore, the state has appealed for a substantial financial package exceeding Rs 6,000 crore from the central government to aid in relief, rehabilitation, and infrastructure restoration in the cyclone-hit regions.
The relief initiatives announced by the Tamil Nadu government include financial support of Rs 2,000 for ration card holders whose livelihoods have been impacted in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore districts.
Crop compensation will include Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated crops (including paddy) affected by a damage threshold of 33 percent or more, Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops and trees with damage exceeding 33 percent; a compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare for rain-fed crops damaged by 33 percent or more.
The state government has calculated a compensation of Rs 37,500 for each buffalo or cow lost; Rs 4,000 for each goat or sheep lost; and Rs 100 for each chicken lost.
An amount of Rs 10,000 will be allocated as compensation for mud huts damaged by flooding.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a correspondence to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized the extensive devastation caused by the cyclone, which resulted in torrential rains and severe winds throughout the state.
It is significant to note that during the rains triggered by Cyclone Fengal, 12 people lost their lives while 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural lands were submerged.
The cyclone damaged 1,649 kilometres of electrical conductors, 23,664 electric poles, and 997 transformers. It also inflicted damage to 9,576 kilometres of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 tanks.
Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi districts recorded over 50 cm of rainfall in a single day, a volume equivalent to an entire season’s average, resulting in severe flooding.
The cyclone impacted 69 lakh families and displaced 1.5 crore individuals.
The state government’s preliminary assessment estimates that Rs 2,475 crore is needed for temporary restoration efforts.
Chief Minister Stalin has requested an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and additional financial support based on the findings of the central assessment team.
