A central team led by Rajesh Gupta, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management), visited Cuddalore district to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fengal. The team inspected several locations affected by heavy rains and floods, focusing on agricultural lands, infrastructure, and residential areas.In Panruti taluk, the team examined flood-hit areas such as Pakandai and Melpattambakkam, where breaches in the Thenpennai riverbanks had severely damaged farmlands. They observed soil erosion on Customs Road and inspected the broken causeway on the Alagiyanatham 2000 block road. The central team also noted the destruction of banana plantations and other crops in Alagiyanatham, interacting with local farmers to understand the extent of their losses.
At Naanamedu, the team inspected another major breach along the Thenpennai riverbanks. Floodwaters had inundated agricultural fields, causing significant crop damage and depositing large amounts of sand. In Kundu Uppalavadi, the team reviewed the condition of cyclone-damaged houses. At Kandakkadu, they inspected the structural damage to the bridge, including collapsed sidewalls, which had disrupted transportation.
The team also reviewed a presentation by district authorities that included photos and videos of the flood impact, relief measures, and ongoing recovery efforts. This helped the central team understand the scale of the damage and the steps being taken to assist affected residents.
A review meeting was held at the Collectorate, chaired by Rajesh Gupta, where discussions focused on relief and rehabilitation measures. Topics included the distribution of relief materials, the status of recovery operations, and strategies to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Key officials present at the meeting included Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Special Monitoring Officer; Rajesh Lakhani, Revenue Administration Commissioner; Amudha, Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government; Nandakumar, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board; Mohan, District Monitoring Officer; and Cuddalore Collector C.B. Aditya Senthilkumar.
The central team emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between central and state governments to ensure swift relief and sustainable recovery. They also highlighted the need for long-term disaster preparedness, particularly along vulnerable riverbanks and flood-prone areas.