The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, which intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’ (pronounced, 'Feinjal') on Friday, is likely to make a landfall close to Puducherry on Saturday afternoon with a wind speed of upto 90 kmph, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The storm is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram with a wind speed of 70-80 km per hour with gusts up 90 kmph, the IMD said. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is forecasted, with extremely heavy rain at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry.
#WATCH | Drone visual from the coastal areas of Puducherry; rough sea and gusty wind witnessed as impact of cyclone Fengal
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal will hit the coastal area by today evening. pic.twitter.com/t1yS0z5vhZ
Heavy to very heavy rain is also likely to occur in isolated places over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal area.
IMD issues red alert
In Tamil Nadu, red alert has been issued for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts. Puducherry, too, has issued red alert.
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… pic.twitter.com/eks11Nv31k
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 29, 2024
Public transport has been suspended on the East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road.
Meanwhile, orange alert has been issued for Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal districts.
Tamil Nadu declares holiday on November 30
The Tamil Nadu government has declared November 30 a holiday for educational institutions, and has appealed to people to stay indoors. IT companies have been requested to allow employees to work from home.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his Puducherry counterpart, N. Rangasamy, have chaired meetings to assess the preparedness of their respective states for the heavy rains and the storm caused by Cyclone Fengal.
Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran held a meeting with senior officials to review preparatory and relief measures. An official release by Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority urged people to avoid beaches, amusement parks and recreational events. Construction companies, too, were asked to ensure that equipment, machinery does not fall down in the storm.
Relief measures in place
Complying with a state government advisory, 4,153 boats have returned from the sea. 2,229 relief camps have been kept ready for use. 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
NDRF and state teams have been deployed in Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Chengelpet and Chennai, among other places. Boats, generators, motor pumps and other necessary equipment have been kept ready in districts.
Senior officials have been stationed in their respective districts to supervise and coordinate with district authorities.
