Torrential rains accompanying Tropical Storm Fengal have claimed the lives of at least 12 people in Sri Lanka, while over 300,000 have been displaced, according to authorities. The storm is now heading towards the southern coast of India.
Among the victims are six children, who went missing when the trailer of a truck they were in was swept away by floodwaters on a submerged road. Rescue teams are continuing their search for two adults who were traveling with the children.
The Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center reported that the sudden rise in water levels due to heavy rainfall forced at least 335,000 people to leave their flooded homes and seek shelter in public buildings.
The government has deployed over 2,700 military personnel to assist those affected.
“Heavy rains and strong winds are expected in the northern and northwestern provinces,” Sri Lanka’s meteorological department warned today.
India’s meteorological agency, IMD, announced that Fengal is gradually moving along Sri Lanka’s coastline towards the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where it is expected to make landfall on Saturday.
“There is a possibility that the storm will intensify slightly and transform into a cyclone, with wind speeds of 100 to 120 kilometers per hour, potentially reaching up to 140 kilometers per hour in the southwestern Bay of Bengal,” according to a forecast released this morning.
The IMD has advised local fishermen to remain in ports, and the Indian Navy is on standby for potential rescue operations and supply missions.
Cyclones are a regular threat in the Indian Ocean region. Deadly floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains are also common in South Asia, especially during the monsoon season. However, scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating these extreme weather events, leading to more frequent and destructive flooding.
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Source: ANA-MPA
