Cyclone Fengal brings heavy rainfall to Chennai and neighbouring districts. Schools and colleges have been closed as a precautionary measure and the government has instructed people to stay indoors.
Public transportation
The public transport services on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) have been temporarily suspended due to the heavy rainfall and the high tides in the ocean.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Rough sea and gusty wind witnessed due to the impact of cyclone Fengal; visuals from Mahabalipuram
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
As per IMD, #CycloneFengal to cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind… pic.twitter.com/1rhHvAa6Wr
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviews relief measures
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took stock of the situation and reviewed cyclone preparedness by interacting with the authorities of various district administrations in the neighbouring districts of Chennai and the delta region. Chennai and its neighbouring districts have witnessed 354.4mm rainfall since Friday night.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Rough sea witnessed due to the impact of cyclone Fengal; visuals from Kasimedu.
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall close to Puducherry, along the Tamil Nadu coast by today evening. pic.twitter.com/b59co7vGIi
Rail services
The Railways has suspended the MRTS operations due to strong winds with velocities ranging from 65 to 73kmph. The suburban train services have also been suspended, according to the Southern railways.
Chennai Airport
Operations at Chennai International Airport have been shut down from 12.30pm till 7pm. Indigo Airlines and Air India have already suspended their flight operations due to the inclement weather. However, the runway is not flooded and there are no problems at the surface level at Chennai Airport.
Heavy rains
Several low-lying areas in Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur and Chengalpet have been inundated due to the heavy rainfall since Friday night. The cyclone is expected to bring more rain during the day and continue till December 1, as per IMD reports. The coastal areas of Chennai, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam are already witnessing a drastic change in the weather conditions and high tides since Friday night due to the heavy rains.
Landfall
Fengal is expected to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Mamallapuram and Karaikal with a wind speed of 70 to 80km per hour, gusting to 90kmph, according to the IMD forecast. The cyclone will cross the coast this afternoon.
Fengal is expected to make landfall on Saturday evening. The cyclonic storm over Southwest Bay of Bengal has moved West-Northwestwards with a speed of 12kmph in the early hours of Saturday and lays centred over the same region.
