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.

Speaking on Cyclone Fengal, Chennai IMD Head S Balachandran says, “It is lying at about 100kms south-east of Chennai and Northeast of Puducherry. It is moving at the rate of 10km/hour. It is likely to cross near Puducherry by today evening.

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.

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.

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.

Flight operations at Chennai airport resumed this morning after around 16 hours. The Chennai airport advised passengers to reach out to their respective airlines for information regarding their flights.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has mobilized teams to manage flooding from Cyclone Fengal, using powerful pumps in waterlogged Karapakkam. The IMD forecasts a landfall in Tamil Nadu with high winds.

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

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.

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.

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.