Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry late Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The landfall process, expected to last around four hours, will bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region.
The cyclone is moving west-southwestward, crossing the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, close to Puducherry, according to the weather department. Wind speeds are expected to range between 70-80 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 90 kmph during the landfall process.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai described Fengal as a “dynamic and slow-moving storm,” with irregular features making its exact trajectory challenging to predict. RMC Director S. Balachandran highlighted that the storm’s mesovortex is asymmetrical, complicating forecasts.
In response to the cyclone, the Puducherry administration issued SMS alerts to 12 lakh residents, urging caution. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy inspected rain-affected areas and reviewed relief measures, including the relocation of evacuees to shelters.
Chennai Airport has suspended operations until 4 a.m. on December 1 due to waterlogged runways, resulting in the cancellation of over 50 flights. Public transport on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) has been halted as a precaution.
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) has deployed multiple relief teams across Chennai and other affected districts. Over 2,200 relief centers have been set up statewide, with 471 individuals from 164 families already moved to camps in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
The government has advised IT companies to allow employees to work from home and urged residents to remain indoors. Public spaces, including parks and beaches, have been temporarily closed.
Chennai Mayor R. Priya assured residents that the city’s civic body is well-prepared to manage the cyclone’s impact, with proactive measures minimizing waterlogging. Subways prone to flooding, including the RBI Subway and Rangarajapuram, have been closed, while several roads, including Prakasam Salai and G.P. Road, are shut to traffic.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed the situation from the State Emergency Operations Centre and confirmed that relief efforts are in full swing. He stated that relocated families are being provided with essentials and praised the preventive measures taken to minimize disruptions in Chennai.
(ians)
