Cyclone Fengal: Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Airport Closed, Trains Postponed

Chennai: Cyclone Fengal, pronounced “Feinjal,” is set to make landfall this afternoon between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of wind speeds between 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph, as the storm crosses the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.

Impact on Transportation
The adverse weather has caused disruptions in transportation:

• Chennai Airport: All flight operations have been suspended until 7 pm due to high crosswinds.
• Suburban Trains: Southern Railway has reduced services in Chennai and nearby regions as a safety measure.

Rainfall and Weather Alerts
The IMD has issued a red alert for districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore, as well as Puducherry. An orange alert has been declared for Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy spells. Coastal areas are already experiencing rough seas and high tides.

Schools Closed, Emergency Measures in Place
Schools and colleges in affected districts, including Chennai, Puducherry, and several others, remain closed today. Authorities have readied emergency equipment such as boats, motor pumps, and tree cutters. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are deployed in vulnerable regions.

Tragic Incident Amid Heavy Rain
Amid the downpour, a man identified by his surname Verma was electrocuted near an ATM in Chennai. Police suspect a short circuit on the railing outside the ATM caused the accident.

Fishermen and Public Advised to Stay Safe
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea, and residents in low-lying areas are advised to move to safer locations. Boats and other equipment have been shifted to higher grounds to minimize damage.

Anticipated Damage
According to Dr. S Balachandran, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, the cyclone is likely to cause flooding in low-lying areas and damage telecommunication infrastructure. Coastal districts are expected to bear the brunt of the storm’s impact.

Residents in the affected regions are urged to remain vigilant and follow updates from authorities to stay safe during the cyclone.