Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall near Puducherry on Saturday afternoon, impacting parts of Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and interior Karnataka, anticipating heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in these areas.
As of Friday evening, the cyclone, which was still 300-350 km away from the Tamil Nadu coast, was intensifying. It is expected to strike between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry with winds reaching 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h.
The IMD’s Ananda Das reported that the cyclone will bring intense rainfall to coastal districts in north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh, with the interior regions of Tamil Nadu also facing heavy showers on November 30. Heavy rainfall is predicted to continue in the region through December 1.
Key Updates:
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- School Closures: Due to the severe weather warnings, schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district, including private institutions, will remain closed on Saturday.
- Flight Disruptions: IndiGo Airlines announced disruptions in services, with flights to and from Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tuticorin, and Madurai affected. Flights to Tirupati and Vishakhapatnam are also facing delays.
- Weather Alerts: Warnings of extremely heavy rainfall have been issued for Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor, with the cyclone expected to intensify as it moves northwestward. The cyclone is expected to make landfall in the afternoon, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm on Saturday in coastal areas.
- Safety Precautions: The Puducherry Fisheries Department has advised fishermen to stay ashore and move their boats and equipment to safer locations. NDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts, including Nagapattinam and Chennai, for emergency response. District officials are monitoring the situation and coordinating disaster management efforts.
- Public Safety: Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors during the cyclone’s passage, with toll-free distress numbers and a WhatsApp helpline provided for assistance.
