NEW DELHI, Nov 29: The deep depression brewing over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’ on Friday afternoon as it nears the northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD also issued a red alert predicting very heavy to extremely heavy rain at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry on Saturday.
It further predicted heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal area.
According to the weather agency, the system is expected to cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram region as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph during November 30 afternoon.
Meanwhile, in wake of the cyclonic storm, President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Tiruvarur Central University has been cancelled. Balachandran, Chennai Regional Meteorological Head, said, “The system lies about 350 km southeast of Puducherry and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next few hours. It is expected to cross between Karaikal and Puducherry by noon on November 30. We expect wind speeds of 70-80 mph, with gusts reaching 90-100 kmph at the time of crossing.”
The system is projected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, by the morning of November 30. Upon landfall, the system will bring strong winds, along with heavy rainfall in the coastal regions.
Authorities have issued warnings for fishermen and coastal residents to remain cautious. Coastal districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, especially around Karaikal and Puducherry, are expected to experience rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas as the system approaches.
All schools and other educational institutions in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been closed. The Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department has set up 2,229 relief centres in areas under heavy rain warning. As of now, a total of 471 people belonging to 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
Earlier on Thursday, Cyclone Fengal caused significant damage to paddy crops in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, where over 800 acres of crops were submerged, causing distress to farmers. Affected areas include Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, Pudupalli, Vedrappu, Vanamadevi, Vallapallam, Kallimedu, Eeravayal and Chemboadi.
A senior IMD official mentioned that moderate rainfall is expected to spread across most parts of Tamil Nadu, with fairly widespread rainfall anticipated.
The Indian Navy has activated a comprehensive disaster response plan in preparation for Cyclone Fengal’s intensification. The Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (HQTN&P), has implemented a robust disaster response strategy, focusing on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and search and rescue (SAR) operations. Naval personnel are working closely with state and civil authorities to ensure rapid response capabilities. Relief materials, including food, water, and medicines, are being dispatched, and specialized Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are being deployed in vulnerable areas.
(Manas Dasgupta)