“Stay updated on Cyclone Fengal’s landfall near Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Red alert issued for heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding. Get details on travel disruptions, school closures, and emergency preparedness measures.”
Cyclone Fengal, which is presently intensifying off the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, is likely to make a landfall this afternoon. The IMD has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the adjacent districts as it warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, very strong winds, and rising flood water.
Heavy Rainfall and Wind Warnings
The cyclone, now at a distance of about 300–350 km from the Tamil Nadu coast as of this morning, is expected to land between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry. Wind speed at landfall is likely to reach 70–80 km/h, gusting to 90 km/h.
– Rainfall Forecast:
– Tamil Nadu: Extremely heavy rain in coastal districts and Chennai.
– South Andhra Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor districts.
Scattered heavy falls are likely in the interior of Kerala and Karnataka.
Impact on Education and Travel
– School Closures:
Schools and colleges have been closed in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry due to rain.
– Flight Disruptions:
IndiGo Airlines has warned of delays and cancellations at the airports in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tuticorin, Madurai, and others. The Tirupati and Visakhapatnam flights are also canceled due to this reason.
Precautionary Measures
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state disaster management teams are on standby in critical districts like Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore. Equipment such as motor pumps, generators, and rescue boats have been pre-deployed.
– Emergency Numbers: Residents can reach out via toll-free lines 112 and 1077, or through the WhatsApp helpline at 9488981070.
Fishermen’s Advisory
The Puducherry Fisheries Department has issued warnings against venturing into the sea. Boats and fishing equipment are being secured in anticipation of rough seas and high tides.
Regional Updates
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Puducherry’s District Collector A. Kulothungan has conducted reviews with local administration and disaster response teams. The focus remains on minimizing risks through effective coordination and timely evacuations where necessary.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh – Director, Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre KVS Srinivas warned the districts of Tirupati and Nellore about extreme rainfall and inundation to be expected over the next 24 hours.
Call for Vigilance
Residents in the affected regions are urged to remain indoors, secure loose items, and avoid venturing into waterlogged or wind-prone areas. Cyclone Fengal’s impact is expected to peak during the landfall window between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Saturday, with residual effects over the weekend.
Stay updated with local advisories and weather bulletins for real-time information.
