Flight services at Chennai international airport have been suspended till 4 am due to adverse weather condition as cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry and is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coasts in the next three to four hours.
According to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official, the process of the cyclone's landfall began at 5.30 pm on Saturday.
"Latest observations indicate that the forward sector of spiral bands associated with the cyclone has entered into the land. It is likely to move west-southwestwards 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 next 3 to 4 hours," the IMD said.
Cyclone Fengal: Suburban rail services suspended; heavy rains forecast till Dec 1 | Key updates
Over 50 flights—both domestic and international—have been cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports in Chennai and neighbouring states.
“Following consultations with AAI Headquarters and considering feedback from stakeholders, it has been decided to extend the closure of operations through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) until 0400 IST on 1st December 2024. We recommend passengers check with their respective airlines regarding their flights," the Chennai airport said in a post on X.
The cyclonic storm brought heavy rains in the coastal districts, inundating houses and hospitals. In Chennai, several residential areas were under water and residents had to place even refrigerators and washing machines on cots to prevent them from getting damaged.
Rainwater entered the premises of two state-run hospitals at Chromepet, according to reports.
EMU train services in all suburban sections in Chennai division are operating with reduced frequency while state-run transport corporations were also operating skeleton services in the city.
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed the situation at the State Emergency Operations Centre with top officials. The chief minister told reporters that all precautionary measures have already been taken and camps have been set up for people of vulnerable areas.
