A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclone and approach Tamil Nadu, impacting air travel and prompting safety measures for seafarers and fishermen in the region.

IndiGo Airlines has warned passengers of ongoing disruptions to flights operating to and from Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem due to unfavorable weather conditions.

In a statement posted on X, the airline said, “The weather conditions remain largely unchanged and continue to be unfavourable, with flights to/from Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli & Salem still impacted.” IndiGo urged passengers to monitor flight updates via its official website and prepare for potential delays.

Simultaneously, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has ramped up coordination with Tamil Nadu authorities to ensure the safety of maritime operations. The ICG has issued advisories urging fishing boats to return to harbors as weather conditions worsen.

“Deep Depression in the Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards Tamil Nadu, as per IMD. ICG ships, aircraft, and radar stations are issuing advisories for fishing boats to return to harbor,” the ICG said in a social media update.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression moved north-northwestward at a slow pace of 3 km/h over the past several hours. As of 5:30 PM IST on November 27, it was located about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, 320 km southeast of Nagappattinam, 420 km southeast of Puducherry, and 500 km south-southeast of Chennai.

The IMD predicts the system will intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours, skirting Sri Lanka’s coastline before reaching the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression on the morning of November 30.

Residents in Tamil Nadu have been advised to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions as authorities prepare for the storm’s potential impact.

(With inputs from ANI)