Cyclone Fengal, pronounced as “Feinjal,” is rapidly intensifying as it approaches the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts. According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, close to Puducherry, this afternoon with wind speeds ranging from 70-80 km per hour, gusting up to 90 km per hour. As the storm approaches, it is bringing heavy rainfall across northern Tamil Nadu, the delta region, and Puducherry.
The cyclone’s impact has already started to disrupt local transport. The Chennai International Airport has been temporarily shut down due to the higher crosswinds forecast by the IMD. The airport is expected to remain closed until 7 pm today. In addition, Southern Railway has announced that fewer suburban trains will operate during this period. These disruptions are expected to affect both air and rail travel significantly.
The IMD has issued a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore, as well as in Puducherry. Several coastal areas are already experiencing changes in weather conditions, with high tides and rough seas reported. The cyclone is expected to bring extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas, particularly over districts such as Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal.
In response to the worsening conditions, the IMD has issued a red alert across several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore. An orange alert has been declared for areas like Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal.
In light of the storm, schools and colleges have been ordered to remain closed in Chennai and surrounding districts such as Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Mayiladuthurai, as well as in Puducherry. Emergency preparedness measures are in place, with boats, generators, motor pumps, tree-cutters, and other necessary equipment kept on standby. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and state disaster response units have been deployed across the affected districts to assist with evacuations and rescue operations.
Authorities have warned of rough seas and strong winds, advising fishermen to stay out of the sea and move their boats and equipment to higher ground to avoid damage. Dr. S. Balachandran, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, also warned that the storm could lead to significant damage to telecommunication lines and flooding in low-lying areas, with the coastal regions likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone’s impact.
