Chennai Rains: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Friday that a deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a cyclonic storm. The cyclonic storm, named Fengal and pronounced as “Feinjal,” is expected to make landfall near Puducherry on the afternoon of November 30, with wind speeds of up to 90 kmph.
Top 10 Updates on Chennai Weather Amid Cyclonic Storm Alert
IMD Predicts Heavy Rainfall for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
For November 30, the IMD predicts “isolated heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry.” Other areas, including Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts, and Karaikal, may also receive heavy to very heavy rain.
Cyclonic Storm Fengal’s Current Position
According to an IMD-Regional Meteorological Centre bulletin, “Morning’s deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards, intensified into cyclonic storm Fengal (pronounced as Fenjal) and lay centred at 1430 hours IST of today, the 29th November 2024…260 km east of Nagapattinam, 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km southeast of Chennai.” The bulletin added, “It is likely 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 the afternoon 30th November.”
Evacuations and Relief Measures
Following official advisories, 4,153 fishing boats have returned to the shore, and 2,229 relief camps are ready for use. So far, 471 people from 164 families have been moved to six relief centers in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
NDRF Deployment and Essential Equipment Readied
Essential equipment like boats, generators, and motor pumps have been arranged, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are deployed in vulnerable districts like Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Chengalpattu, and Chennai. Senior officials are supervising relief efforts in coordination with district authorities.
Heavy Rain Already Reported in Tamil Nadu
Light to moderate rain has already been reported in Chennai and nearby areas such as Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur, along with the delta districts of Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur, with heavy rainfall recorded in some spots.
Schools Shut as Deep Depression Expected to Cross Coast tomorrow
Schools in Chennai and Chengalpet districts will remain closed on Friday as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on November 30, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Cyclone Fengal: 13 Flights To And From Chennai Cancelled, IMD Issues Alert
At least 13 flights to and from Chennai were cancelled on Friday, citing operational reasons amidst bad weather due to the formation of the cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’. As the cyclonic storm nears the northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert predicting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry on Saturday.
The IMD confirmed that as many as 13 flights to and from Chennai were cancelled and a few others were diverted amidst operational issues.
The IMD said that the deep depression brewing over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’ on Friday afternoon as it nears the northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. As per the weather agency, the storm is likely to make a landfall on November 30 afternoon, close to Puducherry, with wind speed upto 90 kmph.
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