The Indian Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday as the government introduced two bills proposing "One Nation, One Election", or simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. While the Opposition criticized the bills for infringing upon the federal structure, the government defended its decision and sent the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion. This marked the first use of electronic voting in the new Parliament House. The bills also include amendments to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed changes.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two bills in Lok Sabha proposing simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in the country. The bills, officially known as the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024', faced stiff opposition from the opposition parties, with many calling for the bills to be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultations. However, the bills, if passed, will align the elections of union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Delhi with Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly polls.
Schools in Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur in Southern India have been closed due to heavy rainfall in the region, which caused moderate to heavy rains in the past 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for moderate to heavy rainfall in several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry until 10 am on Thursday. In addition, 14 districts in Southern India have declared school closures due to the severe rainfall, and some colleges in the region will also remain shut.
Chennai airport was hit by strong winds and heavy rainfall as Cyclone Fengal made landfall on Saturday. A video of a flight struggling to land at the airport has gone viral on social media, causing concern among passengers. The Indian Army has stepped in to assist with rescue operations in Puducherry, where extreme weather conditions have led to flash floods and heavy rainfall. Flight operations have now resumed at Chennai airport, but disruptions and cancellations are expected to continue as the cyclone moves west-southwestward.
Cyclonic Storm Fengal made landfall near Puducherry on Sunday morning, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the area. According to the India Meteorological Department, the storm has now weakened into a deep depression but is still expected to move west-southwestwards. Residents in the affected areas have been urged to take necessary precautions and follow instructions from local authorities.
As cyclonic storm 'Fengal' approaches Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, heavy rain and strong winds have disrupted normal life in the region. Flight operations, public transport, and schools and colleges have been affected, with the IMD issuing a red alert for heavy rain. As a precautionary measure, the Tamil Nadu government has closed schools and asked IT firms to allow work from home for their employees. Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall near Puducherry around midday.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of the arrival of cyclone 'Fengal' on Saturday afternoon, close to the city of Puducherry, with wind speeds of up to 90 kmph. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds have already hit several parts of northern Tamil Nadu, causing water logging and affecting normalcy. Residents are taking precautions such as parking their vehicles in safe areas, while authorities have deployed workers and emergency personnel to vulnerable places. The city's transportation services have also been affected, with flight schedules being disrupted and limited public transport services.
Cyclone Fengal, currently located over the southwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall near Chennai tomorrow evening. The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for the coastal areas of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh. With heavy rains and gusty winds predicted, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in four districts. The Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre has also issued an extremely heavy rainfall warning for three districts in Andhra Pradesh. Residents have been advised to take precautions and authorities are preparing for the impact of the cyclone.
As Cyclone Fengal makes its way towards the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for the region. Expected to hit the coast by Saturday evening, the cyclone has already caused changes in weather, with high tides and heavy rainfall. The IMD reports that it will cross the region between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, bringing wind speeds of 70-80 km/h, posing a danger to the affected areas.
During her visit to Puducherry, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to discuss the latter's request for special financial assistance. Sitharaman advised the Puducherry government to prepare a detailed sector-wise report for consideration, pointing out the practical difficulties in conceding to the request. However, she promised to prioritize assistance for infrastructure projects and consider requests for assistance from industrial houses looking to set up units in Puducherry. The meeting was also attended by Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, and BJP legislators.