Cyclone Fengal, which brought heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry since Friday night, has begun making landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, on Saturday. The cyclone has so far caused widespread inundation, disrupted normal life, and led to significant infrastructure challenges in Chennai, Puducherry, and surrounding areas.
Cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’ has begun making landfall near Puducherry, news agency PTI reported an IMD official as informing. The official further stated that the landfall process of the cyclonic storm may take approximately four hours to complete.
Despite warnings to remain indoors, a man was found dead on a flooded street in Chennai. A video of the incident went viral on social media, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Intermittent rainfall turned into steady downpours, inundating arterial roads and low-lying areas in Chennai and Puducherry. The premises of hospitals and public infrastructure were affected, while public transport services, including on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), were temporarily suspended. Residents of flood-prone areas were advised to stay indoors.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Waterlogging witnessed in Poonamallee High Road (EVR Periyar Salai) near the Egmore area of Chennai after the capital city received heavy rainfall as Cyclone Fengal intensifies. pic.twitter.com/eiXwYO3DiK
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
Chennai Airport Operations Suspended
Chennai International Airport temporarily halted operations due to adverse weather conditions. From 12 PM to 7 PM, Chennai Airport announced its closure due to the weather conditions.
IndiGo Airlines suspended all flights on Saturday. An IndiGo flight from Abu Dhabi was diverted to Bengaluru, while an Air India Express flight to Singapore and a SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo were cancelled. Passengers at Terminal 2 were provided temporary accommodation in nearby hotels.
IMD On Cyclone Fengal
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Fengal moved westward at 10 kmph and was scheduled to make landfall near Puducherry with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph. The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Kallakurichi.
Cyclonic Storm ‘Fengal’ over Southwest Bay of Bengal: Post landfall outlook for North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh Coasts: Red Message pic.twitter.com/uinY35PC2t
— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) November 30, 2024
Relief Measures In Full Swing
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) deployed 16 disaster relief teams across affected districts, including three in Chennai. Authorities established 2,229 relief centers and relocated 471 individuals from 164 families in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, as per a report on IANS. Additional evacuations are on standby as required.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) deployed 22,000 personnel to manage waterlogging and clear debris, using 1,686 motor pumps of various capacities. GCC Mayor R. Priya assured residents that the corporation is fully prepared to handle the situation.
Puducherry District Collector A. Kulothungan stated that 4,000 government officials were deployed with relief centers fully equipped to handle evacuees. The administration also set up a war room to monitor and respond to developments.
