Since cyclonic storm Fengal is predicted to make landfall this evening close to Puducherry and on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, heavy rains and strong gusts have disrupted routine in numerous districts of northern Tamil Nadu.
On Saturday, the Chennai Regional Meteorological Center kept the following areas under a red weather alert: Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry.
All schools and institutions in the districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu would stay closed as a precaution. On Saturday, November 30th 2024, information technology companies are asked to permit their staff to work from home.
According to an official statement, Saturday afternoon would see a temporary suspension of public transportation services on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).
MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu examined the state’s readiness on Saturday because Cyclone Fengal is expected to bring significant rains over the next 48 hours.
With winds of up to 90 kmph cyclonic storm Fengal is predicted to make landfall on Saturday afternoon, November 30th near Puducherry across the Bay of Bengal.
In light of the ongoing intense rains, authorities have issued travel advisories for travelers and impacted numerous flights to and from Chennai.
“Most coastal districts, with the crossing point between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, will experience more impact. There will be wind and rainfall. Today, wind speeds reached 50-60 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h. Between 1 pm and 2 pm, there will be extremely heavy rainfall. At many places, there will be scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall,” the director of the regional meteorological centre of Chennai, Dr S Balachandran said.
In the meantime, as Cyclone Fengal draws near, the Puducherry fisheries department has warned fishermen not to go out to sea. In order to avoid damage, the alert also advised fishermen to relocate their boats and gear to higher ground.
