Cyclone Fengal Update:
A red alert has been issued for Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and interior Karnataka, as Cyclone Fengal is set to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to these regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of the cyclone’s impending landfall near Puducherry along the Tamil Nadu coast on Saturday.
Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, moving west-northwestward as a cyclonic storm. During landfall, wind speeds are projected to reach 70-80 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h.
Current Position and Expected Impact:
As of Friday evening, the cyclone was located 300-350 km off the Tamil Nadu coast, according to Ananda Das, head of IMD’s Cyclonic Division. Coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience intense rainfall, while interior Tamil Nadu is expected to receive heavy rains on November 30.
Das added that light rainfall has already started in some areas. “The cyclone will intensify slightly before making landfall tomorrow evening. Coastal districts will bear the brunt of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, while interior Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and interior Karnataka will continue to see heavy rains through December 1.”
Stay alert and take necessary precautions during this severe weather event.
More Cyclone Fengal updates
- The shops were also shut on Saturday after a warning of heavy rains by the MeT department, along with schools and colleges, including private institutions, in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, ANI, citing district administration, reported.
- “The current weather conditions continue to impact flights to/from #Chennai, #Tiruchirappalli, #Tuticorin, #Madurai, with #Tirupati and #Vishakhapatnam now also affected,” IndiGo Airlines said in an advisory.
- KVS Srinivas, director, Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, said warnings for “very heavy rainfall” have been issued for the Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor districts in the next 24 hours. It is also expected to strengthen more and track northwestward, he added. It is expected to cross over north Tamil Nadu and the coast of Puducherry within six hours, prompting cyclone alerts for the adjacent Tamil Nadu districts.
Karaikal to Mahabalipuram in proximity with Puducherry will undergo maximum cyclone impact: T S Balachandran, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai tells ANI Wind speeds reached 50-60 km/h on Friday with heavy gusts up to 70 km/h, he said, adding very heavy rainfall was expected between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm Saturday, while scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places.
- Prepared boats, generators, motor pumps, and other necessary equipment. NDRF and state teams have already been posted in the affected districts — Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Chengelpet, and Chennai.
- Senior officials have already been designated to oversee and coordinate with the district authorities and they will remain stationed there to manage the disaster.
Schools, colleges to remain closed in Puducherry today
Fishermen in Puducherry have been strongly advised by the fisheries department to stay off the sea as Cyclone Fengal approaches, posing significant risks. Officials have also instructed them to relocate boats and equipment to higher ground to safeguard against potential damage from rising waters or strong winds. As a precautionary measure, all schools and colleges across Puducherry will remain closed on Saturday, as reported by PTI. To assist residents during emergencies, the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has provided toll-free numbers 112 and 1077, along with a WhatsApp helpline at 9488981070. Authorities are urging everyone to stay indoors, especially since the cyclone is projected to make landfall near Puducherry on Saturday afternoon. The India Meteorological Department has forecasted wind speeds reaching up to 90 km/h. Meanwhile, District Collector A. Kulothungan has convened meetings with officials from key departments like the Public Works Department, local administration, and police to ensure that all preparedness measures are in place.
