Cyclone Fengal, a slow-moving weather system that has recently picked up pace, is expected to make landfall near Chennai on the afternoon of Saturday, November 30, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai. A red warning has been announced in eight districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Mayiladuthurai, where heavy to very heavy rains are expected on Saturday. The areas inside Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) recorded 12.62 mm between 7 and 9 am on Saturday morning.
In anticipation of the cyclone’s impact, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in these districts. Schools and colleges have been shut and fishermen asked to stay home as the cyclone is projected to cross close to Puducherry.
The weather department has issued warnings for high tides and rough seas. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea.
The Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department has set up 2,229 relief centres in areas under heavy rain warnings. Currently, 471 people from 164 families have been relocated to relief camps in the Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. The corporation has deployed 28,000 workers for rain relief efforts, with an additional 10 workers assigned to each of the 200 wards to address rain-related complaints.
With heavy rain and gusty winds predicted, the Chennai International Airport has canceled 18 flights to and from the city.
Public transport services on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be temporarily suspended from Saturday afternoon.
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNDMA) has advised people to avoid visiting beaches, amusement parks, and recreational events.