Cyclone Fengal: Schools in Tamil Nadu districts, Puducherry closed today; IMD issues red alert in Kerala

NEW DELHI: Several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have decided to close schools and colleges today in view of significant damage and rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal. According to reports, all the government and government-aided schools, private schools and all colleges in Puducherry have been closed today.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a warning of significant rainfall in Kerala due to Cyclone Fengal. Red alerts have been issued for five northern districts – Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram. Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts have been issued an orange alert, while Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta are under a yellow alert.

All schools will be closed in Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupatur, Dharmapuri, Salem, Cuddalore, and Villupuram districts on December 3. Whereas, Krishnagiri district has declared holiday for both schools and colleges.

Puducherry recorded an unprecedented rainfall of 48.4 cm for over 24 hours on December 1 till 9 am. Chief minister N Rangasamy confirmed that four people lost their lives in the cyclones and announced their families would each receive a solatium of Rs 5 lakh.

Puducherry education minister A Namachivayam said: “Due to continuous heavy rains, a holiday has been declared on Monday (December 2, 2024) in all the government and government-aided schools, private schools and all colleges in Puducherry,” as per the ANI report.

Authorities have issued a warning against fishing on the Kerala coast on December 2 and 3, the southern Karnataka coast on December 2, the Karnataka coast on December 3, and in the Lakshadweep region from December 3 to 5.

(With inputs from PTI)