Chennai and nearby areas experienced heavy rains due to cyclone Fengal, disrupting transport services and prompting evacuations. While no major damage was reported, hospitals were inundated, and operations at Chennai airport were suspended.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall till December 1. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai on Friday and a red alert for Saturday, warning of very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall.

Chennai and its surrounding regions, including Puducherry, faced steady rains and gusty winds as Cyclone Fengal made landfall, disrupting public transport and forcing authorities to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas. Public transport, including buses, trains, and flights, has been heavily impacted.

Cyclone Fengal is approaching Tamil Nadu’s coast, bringing heavy rainfall and rising tides. The IMD warns affected regions, with the cyclone expected to make landfall on November 30, packing winds of 70-80 km/h.

Due to heavy rain, the Chennai district collector declared a holiday for schools on Friday. Chengalpettu district also followed suit. The deep depress

The cyclone is expected to make landfall this evening, with authorities issuing warnings for northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh.

Authorities in Puducherry and Chennai have ramped up safety measures as Cyclone Fengal is set to hit the coast. Beaches and tourist spots are closed, and large-scale deployment of security personnel is in place.

The IMD has issued a red alert for several districts, including Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, and Karaikal.

Officials have urged residents to stay indoors as Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall near Puducherry on Saturday afternoon, with wind speeds of up to 90 km/h. As a precaution, all schools and colleges in the area will remain closed.

A red alert has been issued given heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several parts of Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and interior Karnataka.

Cyclone Fengal has formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to hit north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts with winds of 70-80 kmph.