Cyclone Fengal Hits Puducherry Coast, Reports IMD

Chennai, Nov 30 (NationPress) Cyclone Fengal has initiated its landfall process near Puducherry late Saturday, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has indicated that the landfall procedure is anticipated to last roughly four hours.

The cyclone is forecasted to progress west-southwest, traversing the northern coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, in close proximity to Puducherry.

The wind speeds during this event are expected to be between 70-80 kmph, with gusts possibly reaching up to 90 kmph over the next three to four hours.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai previously noted that the landfall of this slow-moving cyclonic storm could extend for several hours, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period. RMC Director S. Balachandran highlighted that Fengal is a highly dynamic storm, frequently altering its speed of movement. Based on the latest ocean satellite data, the landfall is slated to start later on Saturday (November 30) and may take several hours for the storm’s eye to completely move inland. He also pointed out that the mesovortex of the storm is not perfectly round, complicating predictions about the precise landfall location. Continuous monitoring of the situation is in place, given that the storm's structure shifts as it nears the coast.

The administration in Puducherry has dispatched SMS alerts to nearly 12 lakh residents, advising them to remain alert due to the approaching storm.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy conducted inspections of areas affected by rain to assess the actions undertaken by the Disaster Management Department, particularly regarding the accommodation of evacuees from vulnerable low-lying areas in relief centres.

Operations at Chennai Airport have been suspended until 4 a.m. on December 1, due to significant inundation on runways and taxiways. More than 50 flights have been cancelled.

Public transportation services on the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) have been temporarily halted starting Saturday afternoon.

The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) has mobilized three disaster relief teams for Chennai and 13 teams for other districts affected by Cyclone Fengal.

In an effort to alleviate the impact of the heavy rainfall, the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department has opened 2,229 relief centres in the affected areas. Currently, 471 individuals from 164 families have been moved to relief camps in the Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.

Authorities are prepared for additional evacuations if necessary.

In a public safety advisory, the government has requested that IT companies allow employees to work from home. Residents are strongly urged to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.

Parks and beaches in Chennai and surrounding districts are closed, and the TNSDMA has advised the public to avoid visiting beaches, amusement parks, and other recreational venues.

Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor R. Priya assured residents that the civic body is fully equipped to manage the cyclone and the consequent heavy rains.

Warnings have been issued against parking vehicles under trees during periods of heavy rainfall.

Several subways in Chennai, including the RBI Subway, Sundaram Point, Rangarajapuram, Palavanthangal, and Gengu Reddy subways, have been closed due to waterlogging. The use of light vehicles has been prohibited in the Duraiswamy and Madley subways.

Additionally, roads such as Prakasam Salai, G.P. Road, Ritherdon Road, and Alagappa Road have been temporarily closed to traffic.

Earlier on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stated that the situation is under control in Chennai and other districts experiencing heavy rainfall following a review of the measures being implemented to address the cyclone's effects at the State Emergency Operations Centre in Ezhilagam Complex.

Stalin mentioned that individuals have been relocated to relief camps, where food and essential supplies are being provided. He also noted that he convened a review meeting with the Chennai Corporation Commissioner and District Collectors of Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, and Chengalpattu, who updated him on the current situation and the ongoing relief operations. The Chief Minister added that preventive actions taken have resulted in minimal waterlogging in Chennai.