Cyclone Fengal News: Are Schools, Colleges Closed In Puducherry Today On 3rd-Dec?

Due to Cyclone Fengal's intense rainfall, Puducherry's Education Minister A Namachivayam declared today, December 3, a holiday for all government and private schools as well as institutions. This comes after District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya said on Monday that schools and institutions in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district had been closed owing to excessive rains. Cyclone Fengal made landfall on the shores of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday night, causing severe rains in several areas of the state. In the coastal areas of Puducherry and north Tamil Nadu, the cyclone caused exceptionally severe rainfall.

"It is likely to continue moving west-northwestward and gradually weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over north interior Tamil Nadu during the next six hours. The remnant low-pressure area is expected to emerge over the southeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea off the north Kerala-Karnataka coasts around December 3, 2024. The system is being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Karaikal," the IMD said according to news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, the district collector said on Monday that all educational institutions, including colleges and schools, were going to be closed on Tuesday, December 3, in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. Cyclone Fengal is predicted by the IMD to strengthen as it approaches the Arabian Sea and passes across northern Kerala and Karnataka by December 3.

"Due to cyclone Fengal, Puducherry received 48% rainfall, which was unexpected. The Puducherry government has decided to provide relief assistance of Rs 5,000 to all ration cardholders affected by the cyclone," Natesan Krishnasamy Gounder Rangasamy or N. Rangaswamy - Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry reported to ANI.

"Additionally, due to heavy rainfall, 10,000 hectares of crops in the Puducherry state have been damaged. Therefore, we have decided to provide Rs 30,000 per hectare to affected farmers. Cyclone Fengal has left a trail of destruction in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. The recent floods have damaged 50 boats, and the government has announced a relief package of Rs 10,000 for their repair," N. Rangaswamy declared as per ANI.

MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, claimed that he visited the districts of Kallakurichi in Viluppuram on Monday. "I am personally visiting Viluppuram and Kallakurichi districts to see the severe damage caused by Cyclone Fengal and help the people," CM Stalin confirmed on X.

In contrast, the state government has proclaimed a holiday for schools only in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu, and educational establishments in Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, and Chikkamagaluru districts will stay closed today. Cyclone Fengal is also anticipated to bring rain to Bengaluru and other portions of Karnataka during the next two days, the IMD alerted on Monday. According to Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan M P, all schools, PU colleges will be closed on December 3 in Dakshina Kannada.