Cyclone Fengal Highlights: Puducherry witnesses highest rainfall in 30 years; TN CM Stalin inspects several areas in Kolathur

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The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Kanchipuram on Sunday due to continuous heavy rainfall from Cyclone Fengal, leading to overflowing dams.

In the past 30 hours, 163 millimetres of rainfall has been recorded in the Kanchipuram district, 207 millimeters in Uthiramerur, 134 millimeters in Walajabad, 140 millimeters in Sriperumbudur, 114 millimeters in Kundrathur and 134 millimeters in Chembarambakkam.

Additionally, 10 out of 381 lakes in Kanchipuram district and 103 out of 528 lakes in Chengalpattu district have reached their full capacity.

Furthermore, due to continuous rainfall, the Hanumanthandalam and Magaral dams in Uthiramerur taluk of the Kanchipuram district are overflowing and the excess water is flowing into the Cheyyar river.

Heavy rainfall has been recorded in several parts of Tamil Nadu since Saturday morning, with Cyclone Fengal causing widespread flooding.

(ANI)

Cyclone Fengal has delivered the equivalent of a year's rainfall in just 36 hours in some parts of Tamil Nadu, with certain areas receiving around 56 centimetres of rain, according to Rajesh Lakhani, Tamil Nadu's Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management.

Lakhani stated that as the cyclone has now crossed the region, the government is focusing on restoration efforts to address the resulting damage.

The Additional Chief Secretary noted that 49 relief camps have been set up in the Viluppuram district alone.

After a video of an IndiGo flight aborting its landing at the Chennai International Airport amid the turbulent weather ahead of Cyclone Fengal's landfall has gone viral, promoting the airline to issue a clarification and stating that the crew executed a go-around following established safety protocols on November 30.

The statement issued by the IndiGo Airline stated that the cockpit crew of flight 6E 683, operating from Mumbai to Chennai on November 30, executed a go-around after attempting to land in adverse weather conditions. The manoeuvre was carried out following the established safety protocols.

The viral video shows the IndiGo plane struggling with crosswinds and turbulence as it approaches the runway. After making a brief touchdown, the pilot aborts the landing and takes off again, ensuring the safety of the passengers and the crew.

Indigo further clarified that such manoeuvres are standard and the pilots are properly trained to handle such situations.

(ANI)

Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall on the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday, November 30, has caused widespread flooding in several areas, particularly in Cuddalore.

As the storm moves westward, heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Andhra Pradesh, including coastal and Rayalaseema regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued warnings for continued severe weather in these areas.

KVS Srinivas, Managing Director of the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam, said that cyclone Fengal is likely to move westwards very slowly, as it has remained stationary at the same location for the past six hours.

He further mentioned that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in several regions of Andhra Pradesh, including the coastal and Rayalaseema regions, in the next 24 hours.

(ANI)

Due to heavy rains, Education Minister A. Namachivayam has declared a holiday tomorrow for all government, government-aided, private schools, and colleges in Puducherry.

(ANI)

According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal has weakened into a deep depression.

"The Cyclonic Storm FENGAL (pronounced as FEINJAL) over north coastal Tamil Nadu & Puducherry remained practically stationary during past 12 hours, weakened into a deep depression and lay centered at 11.30 hours IST of today, the 1st December 2024 over the same region near latitude 12.0°N and longitude 79.8°E, close to Puducherry, about 30 km north of Cuddalore, 40 km east of Villupuram and 120 km south-southwest of Chennai," the weather office said in a post on 'X.' It is likely to move westwards very slowly and weaken gradually into a depression over north Tamil Nadu during the next 12 hours, it added.

(PTI)

After making landfall near Puducherry on November 30, Cyclone Fengal weakened on Sunday, but torrential downpour under its influence paralysed the union territory, with the Army stepping in to evacuate stranded persons in inundated streets.

Visuals show uprooted trees, power cuts, and widespread damaged due to heavy rainfall.

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed relief materials to Irular tribal families sheltered in Mamallapuram camp.

Watch the video

Indian Army troops from the Chennai Garrison Battalion, operating under the Dakshin Bharat Area, were mobilized in the early hours of Sunday to assist in rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Puducherry, news agency ANI reported.

A Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column consisting of one officer, six junior commissioned officers and 62 other ranks was deployed swiftly.

The water level in some localities of Krishna Nagar rose to nearly five feet, leaving residents of nearly 500 houses stranded. The efforts made by the Indian Army during its rescue operations started at 6:15 am on Sunday, with over 100 individuals being evacuated in the first 2 hours.

The official statement added that residents in the affected areas have been advised to remain indoors and follow all instructions from local authorities to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, people living in nearby areas have been shifted to relief camps near Kalpakkam in Chengalpattu district, in the wake of Cyclone Fengal. (ANI)

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy Sunday said that Puducherry received 50 centimetres of rainfall overnight that has led to flooding in the city.

"Puducherry has received 50 cm of rainfall, resulting in severe flooding. I am currently inspecting the flood-affected areas. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate those stranded in the floodwaters," Chief Minister N Rangasamy told news agency ANI.

Cyclone Fengal brought extremely heavy rainfall to Puducherry, with the Union Territory recording 48.4 centimetres of rain over 24 hours till 8:30 am on December 1. This marked the highest 24-hour cumulative rainfall in the last 30 years between years 1995 to 2024.

Meanwhile, the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train services resumed normal operations in all suburban districts from December 1, railway officials said on Sunday.

The EMU train services were severely affected on Saturday due to heavy rainfall in Chennai, owing to Cyclonic storm Fengal that made landfall in Puducherry and coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu. (ANI)

Flood-like situation emerged in parts of Puducherry following incessant rainfall on Sunday as a result of cyclone Fengal.

Buildings and vehicles were submerged, while trees were uprooted and roads were seen to be waterlogged.

(ANI video)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin inspected several areas in Kolathur, which have been impacted by cyclone Fengal, on Sunday, news agency ANI reported.

The Madley subway in Tamil Nadu was closed due to waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall across several districts of the state.

Chennai Corporation workers were seen clearing water, according to news agency ANI.

Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy, and Villupuram District Collector Dr C Palani inspected the flood-affected area in Kottakuppam, news agency ANI reported.

Palani, speaking to ANI, said: "We had a very heavy rain Marakkanam and Kottakuppam coastal area. We had almost 45 to 50 centimetres of rainfall. We have however made preemptive steps to move the possibly affected people to the shelters. We have almost 1,400 people who have already shifted in the night itself..."

Normal life was crippled in Puducherry on Sunday due to heavy rains that lashed the union territory in the wake of Cyclone Fengal, which crossed the coast here last night, news agency PTI reported.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Puducherry recorded 46 cm rainfall during the last 24 hours ending 9 am today.

What all happened in Puducherry?

While rescue operations are underway in multiple affected areas, hundreds of residents have been evacuated from flood-hit areas. The operations have been conducted efficiently with the coordinated efforts of the local administration, police forces, Army and specialized rescue teams.

Efforts are ongoing in Jeeva Nagar and other vulnerable areas to evacuate people and provide necessary relief, officials have told PTI.

(PTI)

Districts in south interior Karnataka are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, owing to cyclone Fengal over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru and the surrounding districts until Tuesday, December 3, forecasting that some areas may receive rainfall exceeding 100 mm.

Minimum temperatures in central Bengaluru are projected to be around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius in the coming days. In parts of North Karnataka, these temperatures could drop to around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.

Read the full story here.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Cuddalore and Karur districts of Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated in its forecast, as of 10 am on Sunday.

Krishnagiri, Tirupathur, Erode, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladutharai districts of Tamil Nadu, Purucherry, and Karaikal areas are also likely to receive moderate rainfall today.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places over Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipettai and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu, according to the forecast.

Chennai, Chengalpattu, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Tiruppur will also receive light to moderate rainfall today.

As a result of this spell, waterlogging, slippery roads are likely in some areas. Traffic may also be affected in some areas.

Moderate rains with occasional intense spells continued over Cuddalore, Kallakurichi and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC, Chennai) stated, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Viluppuram and Puducherry districts received the maximum rainfall after cyclone Fengal made landfall on Saturday evening.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts.

"The Cyclonic Storm "FENGAL" [pronounced as FEINJAL] over north coastal Tamilnadu & Puducherry crossed the coast and lay close to Puducherry. It is likely to move westwards slowly and weaken gradually into a deep depression over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The weather warnings issued are continued and the system is being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Chennai & Karaikal," the IMD wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers at many places over south coastal and Rayalaseema regions while extremely heavy rains are expected at one or two places over SPSR-Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at these places.

Three persons were electrocuted in different rain-related incidents in Chennai. The minister indicated that the cyclone did not have the severe impact that authorities had anticipated.

Meanwhile, officials reported no immediate signs of significant damage in Puducherry either.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced that 500 medical camps will be set up in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore on Sunday.

Chennai airport, which had temporarily suspended its flight operations, resumed them at 1 am on Sunday, after cyclone Fengal made a landfall over Puducherry on Saturday evening.

Heavy rains lashed Chennai, its nearby districts and Puducherry as cyclone Fengal made a landfall near Puducherry on Saturday evening.

The cyclone crossed the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during the early hours of Sunday morning and is likely to continue moving west-southwestward, weakening into a deep depression within the next few hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated.

The Met department has warned of heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu till December 2.

Cyclone Fengal-triggered heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed northern Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Saturday, prompting a shutdown of the Chennai airport, and inundated many parts of the city but there were no immediate reports of major damage, the government said.

The cyclonic storm made landfall close to the Puducherry union territory area. 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 the afternoon onwards, the rains turned intermittent in most areas and by nightfall, it ceased.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran informed there were no immediate reports of major damage in the aftermath of the cyclone and said related details could be known possibly by Sunday. Three persons were electrocuted in different rain-related incidents in Chennai.

Hospitals and houses were inundated in Chennai and its neighbourhoods while people used flyovers and spaces beneath them as parking lots to avoid a repeat of what was endured during the 2015 floods.

Official sources said apart from the cancellation of 55 flights, 19 others were diverted. The services include both domestic and international flights. Earlier in the day, when the airport was operational, at least 12 flights were delayed.

The complete disruption of services left the passengers stranded and according to rough estimates from official sources, over 10,000 people could have been affected due to cancellations and diversions.

(PTI)

Cyclone Fengal hovering over Bay of Bengal is likely to make landfall over Puducherry on Saturday (November 30) evening, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been witnessing heavy rain since Thursday (November 28). As a result, flight operations have been suspended at Chennai airport till 7 pm Saturday. The Tamil Nadu government has also declared a holiday for all education institutions in the state and IT companies are urged to permit employees to work from home.

Cyclone Fengal, which is expected to generate wind speeds of 80-90 kmph on Saturday evening, is a tropical storm. The National Disaster Management Authority classifies cyclones broadly into two categories: extratropical cyclones and tropical cyclones. Here is what you need to know about them. Read More

Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall over Puducherry on Saturday (November 30) evening, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

As a precaution, the Tamil Nadu government has moved around 471 people to six relief centers in Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam districts. Boats, generators, motor pumps and necessary equipment have been readied and NDRF, state rescue teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas. Simply put, landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone coming onto land after being over water. As per the IMD, a tropical cyclone is said to have made a landfall when the center of the storm – or its eye – moves over the coast. Read More

Cyclone Fengal hovering over Bay of Bengal is likely to make landfall over Puducherry on Saturday (November 30) evening, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been witnessing heavy rain since Thursday (November 28). As a result, flight operations have been suspended at Chennai airport till 7 pm Saturday. The Tamil Nadu government has also declared a holiday for all education institutions in the state and IT companies are urged to permit employees to work from home.

Cyclone Fengal, which is expected to generate wind speeds of 80-90 kmph on Saturday evening, is a tropical storm. The National Disaster Management Authority classifies cyclones broadly into two categories: extratropical cyclones and tropical cyclones. Here is what you need to know about them. Read More

Cyclone Fengal , that made a delayed landfall close to Puducherry on Saturday evening, caused intense rainfall and squally weather over the coastal belt of Tamil Nadu. This is the second cyclone after Dana to develop in the Bay of Bengal and affect India’s east coast in less than two months.

Chennai and neighbourhood areas in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry reported heavy rainfall on Saturday with intense continuing as the cyclone Fengal’s landfall process commences at around 7pm. As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Fengal’s track crossed between Mahabalipuram and Karaikal.

According to meteorologists, even before intensifying into cyclone Fengal, the associated system showed a slow moving tendency. This slow progress continued even as the storm approached the land, forcing the associated winds and rainfall to cause rough weather over north Tamil Nadu – Puducherry. Read More