In view of cyclone Fengal, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed eight disaster management teams. On Tuesday, the state witnessed widespread rains as the depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression with central pressure at 1000 hPa and wind speeds of 50-60 kmph. The deep depression is expected to move north-northwest, parallel to the Sri Lankan coast and is likely to develop into a cyclonic storm “Fengal”.
Chennai and its neighbouring districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur are likely to witness rains. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) the deep depression is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and bring heavy to very heavy rains in Tamil Nadu. Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts have been identified as vulnerable and the district administrations have made precautionary arrangements. The deep depression is expected to move towards the Tamil Nadu coast, skirting the Sri Lankan coastline, over the next two days. From November 27 to 29, it may slow down as it moves with minimal steering.
The IMD has issued weather warnings for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. It had issued a red alert in the coastal and a few interior districts in Tamil Nadu, saying extremely very heavy rainfall will lash these districts till November 29. The IMD is tracking the movement and intensification of the weather.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin chaired a high-level meeting in Chennai, reviewing the preparedness in the central districts of Nagappatinam, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai. Seven teams from the 4th Battalion of the NDRF, including two canine units of 30 rescuers per team, have already arrived in these districts as a precautionary measure. The teams have also been deployed in Karaikal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai districts. A total of 13 teams of the NDRF and nine teams of the SDRF are on standby, according to an official release from the Tamil Nadu government.
The government has also deputed four IAS officers—Johny Tom Varghese, Kavitha Ramu, Gayathri Krishnan, and S.A. Raman—to oversee the preparation. These officers are already on the ground, working to consolidate relief and rescue efforts in Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, and Cuddalore districts.