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

Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday, prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant in view of the approaching cyclonic storm Fengal.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy visited the rain-affected areas to review the steps taken by the Disaster Management department, especially in accommodating those evacuated from low-lying areas into relief centres.

The chief minister instructed officials to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the residents.

District Collector A Kulothungan briefed the chief minister about the distribution of food packets to those staying in the shelter homes.

Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe.

"We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets," he said, adding that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Arakkonam had arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation work.

According to the official, control rooms have been opened in the collectorate and also in the line departments.

Toll free numbers 112, 1077 and also WhatsApp number 94889 81070 have been put in place to help people facing crisis to contact for help.

(PTI)

Chennai airport on Friday announced the suspension of operations till 4 am on December 1 following heavy inundation of runways and the taxiway, due to the cyclone 'Fengal' triggered rains and the 'adverse weather condition,' with over 50 flights being cancelled and scores of passengers left in the lurch.

Official sources here said the two runways and the taxiway were inundated and as many as 55 flights were cancelled and 19 others diverted, adding, the services include both domestic and international operations. Earlier in the day, when the airport was operational, at least 12 flights were delayed.

The Chennai airport in a post on 'X' said that a team of senior officials was closely monitoring the situation to facilitate the earliest resumption of operations as meteorological conditions improve.

As many as 20 flights were cancelled in Hyderabad as well which were services to and from Chennai and Tirupati.

Initially, expecting an earlier landfall of the cyclone, airport authorities had declared suspension of operations till 7 pm starting from 12.30 pm.

(PTI)

Cyclonic storm Fengal has commenced making landfall close to Puducherry and it may approximately take 4 hours for it to cross the coast completely, an India Meteorological Department official said here on Saturday.

Citing data and observations, IMD-Regional Meteorological Centre, Additional Director General, S Balachandran told PTI that the process of the cyclone's landfall commenced at about 5.30 pm on November 30.

On the area of landfall, he said it was close to 'Puducherry area' and that it may take approximately 4 hours for the completion of the landfall process and added that more related information would be made available later.

(PTI)

Cyclone Fengal has begun making landfall near Puducherry, with the process expected to take about four hours, an IMD official said.

As of 5.30 pm, the cyclone was located 60 km east-northeast of Puducherry, moving at 7 km/h. The forward sector of its spiral bands has now reached the land, the India Meteorological Department said.

Cyclone Fengal, currently located about 50 km southeast of Mahabalipuram, 80 km east-northeast of Puducherry, and 90 km south-southeast of Chennai, is moving westward at 7 km/h. It is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry later this evening.

"The Cyclonic Storm “Fengal” (pronounced as 'Feinjal') over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved westwards with a speed of 7 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 2.30 pm today over the same region near latitude 12.3°N and longitude 80.5°E, about  50 km southeast of  Mahabalipuram, 80 km east-northeast of Puducherry and 90 km south-southeast of Chennai," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a post on X.

"It is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the evening of 30th November. There is a possibility of slow movement of the system while approaching the coasts," the post further read.

In a rain-related incident, a migrant worker was electrocuted in Chennai, news agency PTI reported.

Hospitals and houses were inundated in Chennai and its neighbourhoods on Saturday following Cyclone Fengal induced heavy downpour, as civic authorities said clearing works were being carried out on a 'war footing.' Barricades and umbrellas were swept away by gusty winds and road users scurried for cover as rains poured, with cyclone Fengal inching closer to the shoreline on Saturday, leaving many areas in and around Chennai under water.

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.

Rainwater entered houses in suburban localities, such as the Hasthinapuram--Tirumalai Nagar, and residents had to place even refrigerators and washing machines on cots to prevent them from getting damaged.

Public transportation services were hit and people used flyovers and spaces beneath them as parking lots to avoid a repeat of what was endured during the 2015 floods. In view of the rains and copious inflows, reservoirs such as Chembarambakkam looked like an ocean.

(PTI)

Chennai airport shut operations till 7 pm today as heavy rains lashed parts of northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The officials cleared roads as trees were uprooted in Chennai's Besant Nagar area due to gusty winds and rain amid Cyclone Fengal.

Cyclone Fengal is currently located about 100 km northeast of Puducherry and 100 km southeast of Chennai, moving at 10 km/h, Dr Balachandran, Director of the Meteorological Department in Chennai said. It is expected to make landfall near Puducherry later this evening, he added.

"It is expected to cross near to Puducherry today evening. The windspeed at the time of crossing (landfall) will be 70-80kmph gusting to 90kmph," Dr Balachandran said.

"At around 11:30 am the position of the cyclone was Southeast of the Bay of Bengal. It is moving towards the coast... There is a chance of the cyclone slowing down and it is expected to make landfall in 10-12 hours," Delhi Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre head Dr Dushmanta Ranjan Patnaik said.

Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA)

State helpline - 1070

District helpline - 1077

WhatsApp number - 9445869848

Puducherry

Toll-free number: 112

Union Territory helpline: 1022

Whatsapp: 9488981070

Kancheepuram

Landline: 044 27237107

Whatsapp: 8056221077

The India Meteorological Department 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.

According to IMD, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at one or two places over South Coastal and Rayalaseema due to Cyclone Fengal.

Heavy rain is likely to occur at one or two places over the Prakasam, SPSR-Nellore, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Tirupati and Chittoor Districts on Sunday, it said Squally winds with speed reaching 50 Kmph may prevail over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

(PTI)

Tamil Nadu Police put barricades in Tharangambadi Beach to restrict people's entry amid cyclone warnings.

As roads have been waterlogged in Chennai following heavy downpour, motorists find it difficult to traverse. People have been advised to stay indoors as Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall today evening.

Watch video

Where does Cyclone Fengal hover now ? IMD in its post on X says, "The cyclonic storm “FENGAL” over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 08 30 hours IST of today, the 30th November 2024 over the same region near latitude 12.3°N and longitude 80.9°E, about 120 km east-northeast of Puducherry, 110 km southeast of Chennai, 200 km north-northeast of Nagappattinam and 420 km north of Trincomalee.

It is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during evening of 30th November."

Authorities remain braced to tackle any untoward incident as Cyclone Fengal has inched closer to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Regarding cyclone preparedness, Cuddalore District Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar told ANI, "For the Fengal cyclone, the administration has been taking a variety of precautionary measures. We have around 42 cyclone shelters and temporary shelters...cyclone shelters have food arrangements, toilet facilities and power backup facilities as well...Control Room is working 24*7 and there are 21 intra-departmental zonal teams which are also working on the field...we have ensured enough ration materials available in low-lying and vulnerable areas..."

Meanwhile, heavy rains continued in parts of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as the landfall of Cyclone 'Fengal' inched closer. The rains have disrupted normalcy and people have been evacuated. The downpour was accompanied by gusty winds and what began as intermittent rainfall in coastal regions on the night of November 29, gradually became steady leading to inundation in several areas.

With PTI inputs

As the weather department has forecast strong winds with cyclone "Fengal" approaching closer to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry coasts, Chennai Airport has suspended its operations till 7 pm today.

As heavy rain lashed parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with cyclonic storm “Fengal” inching closer to the coasts, flight operations have been hit at Chennai airport. While 22 flights have been cancelled, three have been diverted since Saturday morning.

Fit Air flight 8D0831 headed from Colombo to Chennai was diverted to Colombo while two IndiGo flights, from Hyderabad and Abu Dabi, have been diverted to Hyderabad and Bengaluru respectively.

Check list of cancelled flights here

Sriperumbudur of Kanchipuram district witnesses heavy rains and gusty winds as Cyclone Fengal approaches the coast.

Ahead of cyclone Fengal making landfall over Puducherry, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed preparedness and visited the Disaster Management Control room in Chennai. Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran yesterday conducted a meeting.

On December 1, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in interior Tamil Nadu, and on December 2 and 3, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in the state.

As cyclone "Fengal" is expected to make landfall today evening in Puducherry, authorities are on high alert. “For the last four days, we have been deploying staff across Puducherry beaches. We have already advised fishermen not to venture into the sea. From last night, due to high waves, we have closed all the beaches and are advising the general public and tourists to stay away from the beaches," Puducherry SSP Kalaivanan told PTI.

As cyclone Fengal approaches closer to Tamil Nadu coast, heavy rains continued in Mamallapuram. People are seen treading carefully through inundated roads.

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Marina beach, usually flocked by residents and tourists in Chennai on Saturday, wears a deserted look today. All activities at the beach remain suspended in the wake of cyclone Fengal, as per news agency ANI.

As heavy rain continued to lash parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, flight operations have been suspended at Chennai airport. In a post on X, Chennai Airport said, IndiGo airlines has temporarily suspended its operations due to adverse weather conditions. Flight operations is expected to resume once weather improves.

As heavy rain pounded Puducherry, the Union Territory administration issued SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant. The cyclonic storm Fengal is likely to make landfall by today evening.

District Collector A Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe. "We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes were also ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets," he said adding that National Disaster Relief Force from Arakonam has arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation works.

Authorities are on high alert and control rooms are set up in the collectorate. Tourist sports have been closed in Puducherry.

Ahead of cyclone Fengal making landfall, high tides are witnessed across the shores of Chennai. With warning already in place for fisherfolks not to venture into the sea, boats are seen docked along the shores in a video shared by news agency ANI. 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.

Meanwhile in Sri Lanka, as many as 15 people have died due to adverse weather and more than 450,000 people have been hit by floods. The adverse weather was caused due to deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The police said they arrested a school principal and a teacher over the deaths of six students due to flood waters in the eastern town of Sammanthurai while travelling on a tractor.

The principal had asked the students to travel by tractor due to a lack of buses.

With PTI inputs

In view of the cyclone Fengal, residents in Puducherry have been asked to stay indoors. District Collector A Kulothungan held discussions with the officials of PWD, local administration, police and other line departments and reviewed the situation.

In case of any emergency, one can call up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 or seek help through the WhatsApp number 9488981070.