Cyclone Fengal kills 19 in India and Sri Lanka

(CLO) Cyclone Fengal has killed at least 19 people in India and Sri Lanka, as well as caused floods in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry states after sweeping across the southern coast of India from the Bay of Bengal on November 30.

On December 1, the Indian weather department said that Puducherry state received the heaviest 24-hour rainfall in the past 30 years.

Cyclone Fengal crossed the coast near Puducherry on the night of November 30, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting flights and train services in Chennai. Three people died in rain-related incidents in Chennai.

Chennai airport was closed and 226 flights were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Another 20 flights scheduled to Chennai were diverted to other airports, including those as far away as Guwahati. Flights resumed early on December 1.

High tide at Neelankarai beach ahead of Cyclone Fengal approaching Chennai, India, November 30. Photo: Reuters

This is the second cyclone to form over the Bay of Bengal this season. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue till December 1, although the intensity of the rain depends on the cloud cover.

Images on local media showed strong winds and heavy rains flooding roads and forcing people to use boats for rescue.

The Indian Army is carrying out relief operations in Puducherry for people in the eye of the storm, while rainfall has eased in Chennai.

In Sri Lanka, 16 people have died and heavy rains have affected a total of 138,944 families, according to the latest data from the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, The Hindu)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bao-fengal-khien-19-nguoi-thiet-mang-o-an-do-va-sri-lanka-post323716.html