Last Updated:November 30, 2024, 00:12 IST

Fengal Cyclone Updates: The cyclonic storm, named ‘Fengal’, is likely to make a landfall on November 30 afternoon close to Puducherry with a wind speed, gusting upto 90 kmph.

Fishermen move a boat away from the sea amidst an advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) not to venture into the sea (PTI)

The deep depression brewing over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’ on Friday afternoon as it nears the northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, said India Meteorological Department (IMD). As per the weather agency, the storm is likely to make a landfall on Saturday afternoon, close to Puducherry, with wind speed upto 90 kmph.

The storm is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu – Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph by Saturday afternoon.

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IMD Issues Red Alert

The IMD also issued a red alert predicting very heavy rain to extremely heavy rain at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry on Saturday.

It further predicted heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal area.

According to the weather agency, the system is expected to cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram region as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph during November 30 afternoon. The Puducherry Port further raised storm warning signal number 7 as the strom is set to make landfall tomorrow evening as per the IMD.

According to an IMD update as of 8.40 pm on Friday, Fengal was about 240 km east-northeast of Nagappattinam, 230 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 250 km southeast of Chennai.

“It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the afternoon 30th November.”

On December 1, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in interior Tamil Nadu, and on December 2 and 3, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in the state.

Meanwhile, in wake of the cyclonic storm, President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Tiruvarur Central University has been cancelled.

At Least 13 Flights Cancelled

As many as 13 flights to and from Chennai were cancelled on Friday, citing bad weather and operational reasons. After the formation of cyclonic storm was confirmed by the IMD, two more IndiGo flights – one from Chennai to Mangaluru and another from Chennai to Trichy – were cancelled, as reported by TOI.

Balachandran, Chennai Regional Meteorological Head, said, “The system lies about 350 km southeast of Puducherry and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next few hours. It is expected to cross between Karaikal and Puducherry by noon on November 30. We expect wind speeds of 70-80 mph, with gusts reaching 90-100 kmph at the time of crossing.”

Fishermen Issued Advisory In Wake Of Fengal’s Landfall

The system is projected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, by the morning of November 30. Upon landfall, the system will bring strong winds, along with heavy rainfall in the coastal regions.

Authorities have issued warnings for fishermen and coastal residents to remain cautious. Coastal districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, especially around Karaikal and Puducherry, are expected to experience rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas as the system approaches.

Schools, Colleges Shut In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) has announced that all schools and colleges in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts will remain closed on Saturday due to the ongoing weather conditions. Additionally, it has instructed that no special classes or examinations are to be held during this period.

The Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department has set up 2,229 relief centers in areas under heavy rain warning. As of now, a total of 471 people belonging to 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.

Complying with an advisory, 4,153 boats have returned to the shore and 2,229 relief camps were ready for use if needed, the state government said.

Work-From-Home Advisory For IT Companies

The Department of Information and Public Relations has issued a statement in which IT companies have been urged to allow their employees to work from home on Saturday.

“Public transport services on the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be temporarily suspended in the afternoon on Saturday as the cyclone makes landfall,” it said.

Earlier on Thursday, Cyclone Fengal caused significant damage to paddy crops in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, where over 800 acres of crops were submerged, causing distress to farmers. Affected areas include Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, Pudupalli, Vedrappu, Vanamadevi, Vallapallam, Kallimedu, Eeravayal, and Chemboadi.

A senior IMD official mentioned that moderate rainfall is expected to spread across most parts of Tamil Nadu, with fairly widespread rainfall anticipated.

The Indian Navy has activated a comprehensive disaster response plan in preparation for Cyclone Fengal’s intensification. The Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (HQTN&P), has implemented a robust disaster response strategy, focusing on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and search and rescue (SAR) operations. Naval personnel are working closely with state and civil authorities to ensure rapid response capabilities. Relief materials, including food, water, and medicines, are being dispatched, and specialized Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are being deployed in vulnerable areas.

(With inputs from agencies)