Cyclonic storm Fengal made landfall near Puducherry on Saturday evening, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated. The cyclone has so far caused widespread inundation, disrupted normal life, and led to significant infrastructure challenges in Chennai, Puducherry, and surrounding areas.
S Balachandran, Additional Director General of the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre, told news agency PTI that the landfall process began at around 5:30 pm on November 30. “The landfall is occurring close to the Puducherry area, and it may take approximately four hours to complete,” Balachandran said, adding that further updates would be shared as the situation evolves.
Cyclone Fengal triggered heavy rains and strong winds across northern Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Saturday, leading to significant disruptions, including the shutdown of Chennai airport. The cyclonic storm made landfall near the Puducherry Union Territory, causing flooding in several areas, although authorities have reported no immediate major damage.
Steady rains battered Chennai, its surrounding districts, and Puducherry, affecting public transport, including bus, train, and flight services. Local authorities moved residents from vulnerable areas to safe shelters.
IMD Update On Cyclone Fengal
In an update issued at 12 midnight, the IMD stated that the forward sector of spiral bands associated with the cyclone had entered further inside the land. The storm is expected to move west-southwestwards, crossing the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry. The system is likely to maintain a cyclonic storm intensity with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, over the next hour.
"After landfall, it will continue to move west-southwestwards and weaken gradually into a deep depression during next 6 hours," the IMD posted on X.
Cyclone Fengal: Tamil Nadu Minister Says No Damages Reported So Far, 3 Electrocuted In Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran, confirmed there were no immediate reports of major damage, adding that further details might be available by Sunday, as per PTI. However, three individuals were electrocuted in rain-related incidents in Chennai. The minister noted that the cyclone had not caused the level of damage initially anticipated by authorities.
Chennai and its surrounding areas experienced widespread flooding, with some hospitals, including a general hospital and a thoracic medicine facility in Chromepet, inundated with rainwater. The floodwater reached ankle-deep inside the hospitals, leaving patients and healthcare workers struggling. Authorities placed sandbags at entry points and assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken.
ALSO READ | Cyclone Fengal: Chennai Man Electrocuted At Flooded ATM, Body Found Floating On Waterlogged Road
Intermittent rainfall turned into steady downpours, inundating arterial roads and low-lying areas in Chennai and Puducherry. The premises of hospitals and public infrastructure were affected, while public transport services, including on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), were temporarily suspended. Residents of flood-prone areas were advised to stay indoors.
Cyclone Fengal: Chennai Airport Operations Suspended
The Chennai airport was significantly impacted by the cyclone, with operations suspended until 4 am on Sunday. The heavy rains and adverse weather conditions led to the inundation of two runways and a taxiway. This disruption caused the cancellation of 55 flights and the diversion of 19 others, affecting over 10,000 passengers. Earlier in the day, 12 flights were delayed before the airport was temporarily shut down, PTI reported.
IndiGo Airlines suspended all flights on Saturday. An IndiGo flight from Abu Dhabi was diverted to Bengaluru, while an Air India Express flight to Singapore and a SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo were cancelled. Passengers at Terminal 2 were provided temporary accommodation in nearby hotels.
Cyclone Fengal: Relief Measures In Full Swing In Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister MK Stalin and his deputy, Udhayanidhi Stalin, reviewed the response measures, conducting spot inspections. Stalin held a virtual meeting with district collectors and civic officials from northern districts to assess the situation, while also speaking to residents of a relief camp in Chengelpet district. The Greater Chennai Corporation distributed food to 232,200 people, and nearly 200 individuals were housed in eight relief camps, as per PTI.
Udhayanidhi stated that food was being provided free of charge in all 386 Amma Canteens and that 1,700 motor pumps were being used to clear waterlogging in over 330 locations. Authorities had also removed 27 fallen trees, and six out of 22 subways were temporarily closed for cleaning. Udhayanidhi highlighted that preventive measures such as desilting helped limit the extent of inundation.
Udayanidhi Stalin inspected the affected locations as Cyclone Fengal approached the state.
Puducherry District Collector A. Kulothungan stated that 4,000 government officials were deployed with relief centers fully equipped to handle evacuees. The administration also set up a war room to monitor and respond to developments.
District Collector C Palani distributed blankets to affected people sheltered at Marakkanam School in Viluppuram.
Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced that 500 medical camps would be held in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore on December 1 to provide necessary medical assistance.
In Puducherry, no major damage had been reported, with officials stating that prior warnings had been issued to over 12 lakh residents through SMS alerts to stay vigilant ahead of the cyclone's landfall.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) deployed 22,000 personnel to manage waterlogging and clear debris, using 1,686 motor pumps of various capacities. GCC Mayor R. Priya assured residents that the corporation is fully prepared to handle the situation.