Cyclone Fengal To Weaken Into Deep Depression, Chennai Airport Resumes Operations

Cyclone Fengal Updates: Cyclone Fengal crossed the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts and moved west-southwestwards slowly to weaken gradually into a deep depression. Flight operations resumed at Chennai International Airport at 4.00 am on Sunday. The services were suspended since Saturday.

The India Meteorological Department said, “The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” [pronounced as FEINJAL] over north coastal Tamilnadu & Puducherry remained practically stationary during past 1 hour and lay centered at 0030 hrs IST of today, the 01st December 2024 over the same region near latitude 12.0°N and longitude 79.8°E, close to Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph. The cyclonic storm “FENGAL” will move west-southwestwards slowly and weaken gradually into a deep depression during the next 3 hours. The system is being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Chennai & Karaikal.”

The cyclone crossed the coast near Puducherry between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm, with the wind gusting at 70-80 kmph up to 90 kmph. Steady rains pounded Chennai, its nearby districts and Puducherry affecting public transport, including bus, train and flight services and people from vulnerable areas were moved to safe shelters by authorities.

From Saturday afternoon onwards, there were intermittent rains in most areas and by nightfall, it ceased. 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 healthcare 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.