Heavy rains and gusty winds are battering several parts of northern Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Fengal approaches the southeastern Indian coast, with landfall expected near Puducherry this evening. The cyclonic storm has prompted widespread closures and evacuations across the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for multiple areas, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and interior Karnataka. According to IMD’s Cyclonic Division Head Ananda Das, the storm is projected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, close to Puducherry, with wind speeds reaching 70-80 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 90 km/h.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has been actively monitoring the situation, reviewing preparedness measures from the Disaster Management Control room in Chennai. “The weather department has warned that there will be continuous rain for the next 2-3 days. Tamil Nadu government is constantly monitoring and taking precautionary measures. It has been reported the cyclone will cross the coast tonight. Relief work is going on. Relief camps have been set up and people are being accommodated there. Other districts are also being monitored continuously. There has been no incident so far,” Stalin said.
The impact of the approaching cyclone is already being felt across the region. Chennai Airport has cancelled more than 20 flights, with IndiGo Airlines temporarily suspending operations due to deteriorating weather conditions. Educational institutions in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts have been ordered closed, while information technology companies have been requested to implement work-from-home arrangements for their employees.
As a precautionary measure, public transport services along the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be suspended this afternoon. The Puducherry union territory administration has sent SMS alerts to approximately 12 lakh residents, urging vigilance as the cyclone approaches.
Dr S Balachandran, director of Chennai's regional meteorological centre, indicated that the most severe impact would be felt between 1 pm and 2 pm, with extremely heavy rainfall expected in many locations. “Mostly coastal districts, with the crossing point between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, will experience more impact,” he explained.
Authorities have taken extensive precautions, with 471 people from 164 families already relocated to six relief centres in Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam districts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state rescue teams have been positioned in vulnerable areas, equipped with boats, generators, and motor pumps.
Puducherry SSP Kalaivanan reported that authorities have been deploying staff across Puducherry beaches for the past four days. “We have already advised fishermen not to venture into the sea. From last night, due to high waves, we have closed all the beaches and are advising the general public and tourists to stay away,” he said.
The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has established toll-free numbers (112 and 1077) for emergency assistance, along with a WhatsApp helpline (9488981070). Specific districts, such as Chengalpattu, have set up additional dedicated helpline numbers for residents.
Meteorologists note that while weather systems typically develop into cyclonic storms over the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon with a life span of 4.4 days, Cyclone Fengal has persisted for an unusually long period before intensifying. The IMD forecasts that heavy rainfall will continue to affect the region through early December, with particularly intense precipitation expected in interior Tamil Nadu on December 1.
