Cyclone Fengal: High tides in Chennai, IMD sounds ‘red alert’ for coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Nagapattinam, other districts | Latest updates

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

Cyclone ‘Fengal’, which is intensifying into a cyclonic storm after midnight on Thursday, is expected to bring heavy to moderate rains in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu for the next 2-3 days. The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal would move nearly north-northwestwards, skirting Sri Lanka coast and intensify into a cyclonic storm, according to S Balachandran, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre. By the morning of November 30, it will cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram.

What IMD said about Cyclone Fengal landfall

The Deep Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is moving north-northwest at 7 km/h, according to the IMD. As of 5:30 AM IST on November 29, 2024, it was located about 260 km northeast of Trincomalee, 310 km east of Nagapattinam, 360 km southeast of Puducherry, and 400 km southeast of Chennai. The depression is expected to continue moving northwest and make landfall along the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, near Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, by the morning of November 30. It is expected to remain a deep depression with winds of 55-65 km/h, gusting up to 75 km/h.

IMD issues red alert

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

Authorities are advising fishermen and residents to stay alert as the depression approaches. Coastal areas, especially around Karaikal and Puducherry, are expected to experience rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. Cyclone Fengal has already caused damage to paddy crops in Nagapattinam, flooding over 800 acres. The Indian Navy has deployed teams and supplies, including food, water, and medicines, to help affected areas. Residents in vulnerable zones are urged to follow safety guidelines and stay vigilant as the storm intensifies.

School closed

Due to the heavy rainfall warning, schools in at least 11 districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam, are likely to remain closed today, November 29.

Reports suggest that in Chennai and Chengalpattu, only schools will be closed, while in districts like Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, and Puducherry, along with Karaikal, all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will remain shut.

In Puducherry and Karaikal, Education Minister A. Namassivayam confirmed that all government and government-aided schools, private schools, and colleges will remain closed on both November 29 and 30.