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

As strong waves lash the shores of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, authorities and people in the areas remain braced for adversaries. Police, fire and rescue personnel have been deployed in all vulnerable places. Departure and arrival timing of flights were affected to some extent. Chennai Metro Rail said its services were operational without any glitches and informed public of parking areas in specific stations that were prone to inundation. Police have installed barricades blocking access to beaches including Marina and Mamallapuram. As of now, power supply remains uninterrupted.

Heavy rains lashed parts of northern Tamil Nadu on Saturday and waterlogging has been reported in some parts. Residents of similar vulnerable areas too parked their vehicles in safe areas. Roads were largely deserted and civic workers, police, and fire and rescue personnel were deployed in all vulnerable places.

The landfall of cyclone Fengal is expected in a few hours and people in Tami Nadu, Puducherry remain braced. The weather department has shared the latest update on the cyclone fengal's location on X. The IMD's post read, "Cyclonic Storm 'FENGAL' over Southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 11.8°N and longitude 81.7°E, about 210 km southeast of Chennai. To move west-northwestwards 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 afternoon of 30th November."

As many as 471 people belonging to 164 families have been moved to six relief centers in Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam districts. In case of any untoward incident, boats, generators, motor pumps and necessary equipment have been readied and NDRF, state rescue teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas.

While the weather department has sounded red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, all educational institutions will remain shut today. Public transportation services will remain suspended today afternoon on the East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram road.

Hello! Cyclone Fengal hovering over Bay of Bengal, about 210 km southeast of Chennai, is likely to make landfall over Puducherry in a few hours. The weather department has sounded red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. People have been advised not to venture outside and avoid visiting beaches.