Cyclone Fengal Updates: Landfall Underway Near Puducherry, South On Red Alert; Schools, Airport Closed

• According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal's landfall process has begun near Tamil Nadu's Puducherry.

• Citing data and observations, IMD-Regional Meteorological Centre, Additional Director General, S Balachandran told PTI that the process of the cyclone's landfall commenced at about 5.30 pm on November 30 and it is likely to take 4 hours for it to cross the coast completely.

• In light of the adverse weather conditions, Chennai airport on Friday announced the suspension of operations till 4 am Sunday. The decision came as the runways got inundated after heavy rains due to cyclone 'Fengal'.

• In view of the worsening weather conditions, the Tamil Nadu government urged people to stay indoors and declared November 30 a holiday for educational institutions. All schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal regions would remain shut for two days from Friday. IT companies were requested to allow employees to work from home.

With the landfall expected by evening, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several southern states, including Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and interior Karnataka. Authorities are bracing for widespread heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds as the storm intensifies.

Ananda Das, Head of the IMD's Cyclonic Division, said that heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected across Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and interior Karnataka. A red alert has been issued in these regions as a precaution.

As Cyclone Fengal is set to make landfall on the Tamil Nadu coast anytime soon, the capital city of Chennai experienced significant waterlogging on Friday. 

The city experienced significant waterlogging, with 134 locations affected. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) deployed 1,686 motor pumps, including 137 high-capacity 100HP units, to drain stagnant water. Despite these efforts, major roads like OMR, Five Furlong Road, and Santhome faced severe inundation. While water was cleared in eight areas, ongoing drainage work continued in the remaining 126 spots.

Airport authorities have declared suspension of all operations till 7 pm starting from 12.30 pm on Saturday, PTI reported. Both domestic and international flights were affected and some of the flights were diverted to Bengaluru and Tiruchirappalli with at least 18 flights being cancelled and 12 others delayed. Chennai airport authorities said IndiGo Airlines has temporarily suspended flight operations, which will resume once the weather improves.

The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” [pronounced as FEINJAL] over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 1130 hours IST of Saturday.

It is likely to move nearly westwards 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 evening of 30th November. There is a possibility of slow movement of the system while approaching the coasts.

(Source: IMD)

Dr. Balachandran, Director, Meteorological Department, Chennai spoke to PTI on the location and speed of Cyclone Fengal, he said, "As of now, Cyclone Fengal is about 100kms northeast of Puducherry and 100kms southeast of Chennai. At present, it is moving at a rate of 10kmph. It is expected to cross near to Puducherry today evening... It will a few hours. The windspeed at the time of crossing (landfall) will be 70-80kmph gusting to 90kmph."

Ahead of the onset of Cyclone Fengal, Police personnel can be seen putting barricades in Tharangambadi Beach, Tamil Nadu to restrict people's entry amid cyclone warning.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited several areas of Chennai that were severely hit by rain due to the Cyclone Fengal.

Rainwater entered the premises of two state-run hospitals at Chromepet, a general hospital and a facility for thoracic medicine, both of which are located side by side and frequented by people.

Water was close to the level of one's ankle even inside the hospital, leaving health care seekers and doctors in a tight spot. Police and local authorities placed sandbags at entry points and said all steps were being taken to address the issue.

Barricades could be seen strewn around at several roads including Anna Salai and a traffic light fell down at Sriperumbudur.

Several residential neighbourhoods were heavily inundated here. These included parts of Korattur, Velachery-Madipakkam and Kodungaiyur. Rain water entered houses in suburban localities, such as the Hasthinapuram--Tirumalai Nagar, and residents had to place even refrigerators and washing machines on cots to prevent them from getting damaged.

In a post on X, the officials at Chennai airport informed, "A team of senior officials is closely monitoring the situation to facilitate the earliest resumption of operations as meteorological conditions improve. A WebEx meeting was conducted on 30th November 2024 at 1630 hrs, involving all stakeholders and officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). During the meeting, IMD provided updates indicating that the landfall is expected around 2030 hrs, with prevailing weather conditions likely to persist until 2330 hrs. Following consultations with AAI Headquarters and considering feedback from stakeholders, it has been decided to extend the closure of operations through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) until 0400 IST on 1st December 2024. We recommend passengers check with their respective airlines regarding their flights."

Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday, prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant in view of the approaching cyclonic storm Fengal .

Chief Minister N Rangasamy visited the rain-affected areas to review the steps taken by the Disaster Management department, especially in accommodating those evacuated from low-lying areas into relief centres.

The chief minister instructed officials to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the residents.

District Collector A Kulothungan briefed the chief minister about the distribution of food packets to those staying in the shelter homes.

Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe.

- PTI

Schools, colleges closed: In view of the worsening weather conditions, the Tamil Nadu government appealed to people to stay indoors and declared November 30 a holiday for educational institutions. All schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal regions would remain shut for two days from Friday. IT companies were requested to allow employees to work from home.

NDRF team deployed: A national disaster response team has been activated by the Indian Navy as Cyclone Fengal intensifies. The officials also advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea until November 31.

Advisory issued: Construction companies have been asked to take precautionary measures to ensure that equipment, machinery does not fall down. Similarly, those who had erected advertisement hoardings must ensure that these were swept away.

An official release read, "Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority urges the general public to avoid visiting beaches, amusement parks and attending recreational events. The general public are requested to cooperate fully with the disaster prevention measures taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu."

ALSO READ | Cyclone Fengal Likely To Make Landfall Today, Red Alert For Tamil Nadu And Puducherry

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal's landfall process has begun near Tamil Nadu's Puducherry.

In an update the IMD said: "Latest observations indicate that the forward sector of spiral bands associated with the cyclone has entered into the land. It is likely to move west-southwestwards 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 next 3 to 4 hours."

According to IMD, Cyclone Fengal is likely to take 4 hours for it to cross the coast completely.

Citing data and observations, IMD-Regional Meteorological Centre, Additional Director General, S Balachandran told PTI that the process of the cyclone's landfall commenced at about 5.30 pm on November 30.

On the area of landfall, he said it was close to 'Puducherry area' and that it may take approximately 4 hours for the completion of the landfall process and added that more related information would be made available later.

ALSO READ | Tamil Nadu: Cyclone Fengal Brewing; Schools Closed, Alerts Issued Amid Heavy Rains

In light of the adverse weather conditions, Chennai airport on Friday announced the suspension of operations till 4 am Sunday. The decision came as the runways got inundated after heavy rains due to cyclone 'Fengal'.

Official sources here said apart from the cancellation of 55 flights, 19 others were diverted after two runways and the taxiway were inundated following heavy rains. The services include both domestic and international flights. Earlier in the day, when the airport was operational, at least 12 flights were delayed.

The landfall process of Cyclone Fengal is underway near Tamil Nadu's Puducherry.