Weather today: As Cyclone Fengal moves closer to the coast, authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are on high alert. The storm is predicted to make landfall on Saturday afternoon, November 30, close to Puducherry. The interior and coastal portions of Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh are expected to see heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied with wind speeds of 70 to 90 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
All Puducherry schools and institutions are closed for the day, and district authorities have asked citizens to stay inside. For public assistance, emergency helplines have been established, including toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 as well as a WhatsApp helpline at 9488981070.
Up to 4,153 fishing boats have been brought ashore in Tamil Nadu, and 2,229 rescue camps are prepared to house refugees. 164 households and 471 individuals have been moved to six relief centers in the districts of Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam thus far. In districts that are susceptible, such as Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and Chennai, disaster response teams, including those from the National and State Disaster Response Forces, have been stationed.
In Puducherry, district collector A Kulothungan met with representatives from the police, public works, and local government to discuss the readiness. Boats, motor pumps, generators, and other necessary equipment are available.
Tamil Nadu is pelted by intense rain
Normalcy was disrupted on Saturday in numerous districts of northern Tamil Nadu by heavy rain and gusting winds.
Many inhabitants of low-lying Madipakkam parked their cars on both sides of the neighboring Velachery flyover as a result of the water logging that started on the night of November 29 as sporadic rainfall in coastal areas and eventually turned into a constant stream.
People who lived in comparable high-risk neighborhoods also parked their cars in secure locations. Roads were mostly abandoned, and police, fire and rescue crews, and civic workers were stationed in all areas that were at risk.
There was some impact on the flight schedules for arrivals and departures. Chennai Metro Rail notified the public of parking spaces in some stations that were vulnerable to flooding and stated that its services were running well. Skeletal services were provided by state-run transport companies in Chennai and the surrounding areas.
IMD warns southern states to be on red alert
The IMD predicts that Cyclone Fengal will continue to strengthen before reaching land. With extensive rainfall already recorded in several places, coastal districts including Karaikal, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry would be most affected.
According to Dr. S. Balachandran, head of the regional meteorological center in Chennai, “there will be heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in coastal and low-lying areas during landfall, along with wind speeds of 70-90 kmph.”
Additionally, portions of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka are under a red alert. According to the IMD, southern Kerala and Karnataka will have heavy rains through December 1, while interior Tamil Nadu will see severe rains starting on November 30.
Fishermen’s and coastal residents’ cautions
Fishermen have been instructed by the Puducherry Fisheries Department to secure their boats and equipment on higher ground and to refrain from going out to sea. Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh, where regions like Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor are predicted to experience exceptionally high rainfall, have also received similar warnings.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories. Relief and rescue operations are on standby, ready to respond to any emergencies arising from the cyclone’s landfall.
