A low-intensity cyclone, Fengal, made landfall on the southern coast of India, causing the deaths of at least three people but with minimal widespread damage, according to officials. The storm struck late Saturday with sustained winds of 70-80 km/h (43-50 mph), hitting the state of Tamil Nadu particularly hard.
The Tamil Nadu state disaster management minister, KKSSR Ramachandran, reported that three individuals were electrocuted in Chennai due to the storm’s effects. Despite this, damage was described as “minimal,” with only minor flooding and fallen trees reported in some areas. Local reports suggest the death toll may be as high as four, but the situation was not as severe as initially feared.
Cyclones, comparable to hurricanes in the North Atlantic or typhoons in the northwestern Pacific, are a common and deadly hazard in the northern Indian Ocean. Although Fengal is expected to weaken into a depression by Sunday, India’s meteorological bureau warned of heavy rains in parts of the south. The bureau also advised suspending fishing activities and issued a warning for “moderate to high flash flood risks” in some areas.
Earlier this week, Cyclone Fengal skimmed the coast of Sri Lanka, leaving a devastating toll of at least 12 deaths, including six children.
Scientists have raised concerns that such storms are growing more powerful due to climate change, which is driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, which adds energy to storms and intensifies winds. Additionally, a warming atmosphere allows storms to hold more water, leading to heavier rainfall.
However, improved forecasting and better evacuation strategies have helped reduce the overall death toll from such natural disasters.
