Cyclone Fengal news: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the Deep Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm Fengal at 2:30 p.m. IST on Wednesday, November 29. The cyclone is predicted to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the affected regions as it makes landfall.
Cyclone Fengal is expected to cross North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram. The landfall is likely on November 30 afternoon.
The Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm FENGAL (pronounced as FEINJAL) over the same region at 1430 hrs IST of today, 29th November.
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 29, 2024
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Cyclone Fengal Formation
Cyclone Fengal, a name rooted in local significance to Saudi Arabia, was preselected as part of a long-standing practice where countries in the North Indian Ocean region submit cyclone names in advance.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) had anticipated the development of Cyclone Fengal from early this week. However, the system weakened into a deep depression by Thursday, leading forecasters to believe it might not intensify into a cyclone. Contrary to predictions, the depression began strengthening again by Friday noon, officially intensifying into Cyclone Fengal at 2:30 PM today.
Heavy rains have been battering parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the past two days. On Friday, the Chennai administration declared a holiday for schools, while both schools and colleges remain closed in Puducherry. Similarly, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Puducherry, and Karaikal administrations declared leave for both schools and colleges.
Meanwhile, the IMD has also predicted gust and heavy rainfall till Saturday.