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Chennai weather live updates: Fishing boats anchored amidst the forecast of heavy rains at Marina beach, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Chennai, Tuesday.(PTI)
Cyclone Fengal: Storm is predicted to cross the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, on the morning of November 30.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Thursday that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Fengal within the next 12 hours as it moves northwestward. The cyclone is forecast to cross the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, on the morning of November 30, with wind speeds of 50-60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h.
In its latest update, the IMD noted that the deep depression had remained nearly stationary for the past six hours, located at 9.0°N latitude and 82.1°E longitude, about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee. The system is expected to move north-northwestward, skirting the coast of Sri Lanka, and intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours. It will then cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression on the morning of November 30.
S. Kumar, a duty officer at the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, told news agency ANI that the depression had moved north-northwestward in recent hours. At the time of the report, it was located approximately 550 km south-southeast of Chennai, 370 km southeast of Karaikal, and 470 km southeast of Puducherry. Over the next 12 hours, the depression is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm, continuing its northwestward track. Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh can expect rainfall in the coming days, with the system likely to reach Tamil Nadu’s coast after skirting Sri Lanka.
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry rain updates
- Schools and colleges in Puducherry will remain closed on Thursday due to heavy rainfall caused by the deep depression, which is expected to develop into a cyclonic storm in the coming hours, as reported by The Times of India citing Union Territory’s Education Minister Arumugam Namassivayam.
- The preparedness of various departments to handle the heavy rainfall and potential impact of Cyclone Fengal was reviewed. A statement from the Chief Minister’s office revealed that Puducherry received 7.5 cm of rainfall, while Karaikal recorded 9.5 cm in the 24 hours ending at 5 pm on Wednesday.
- Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy instructed officials from Disaster Management, Public Works Department (PWD), and the municipality to take urgent measures. He highlighted the need to relocate residents of low-lying areas to relief camps. A 24/7 control room has also been set up. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in Puducherry and Karaikal for the next two days.
- The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai predicted light to moderate rain in some areas, with thunderstorms and lightning expected in isolated locations over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on Thursday. The forecast also includes heavy to very heavy rain in isolated places over Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore districts, and Puducherry. Additional districts, including Chennai and Tiruvallur, may experience heavy rainfall in isolated areas.
- IndiGo issued an advisory on Wednesday night, informing passengers of ongoing flight disruptions to and from Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem due to adverse weather conditions caused by the deep depression. The airline posted on X, “#6ETravelAdvisory: The weather conditions remain largely unchanged and continue to be unfavorable, with flights to/from #Chennai, #Tuticorin, #Madurai, #Tiruchirappalli & #Salem still impacted.”
- IndiGo also encouraged passengers to check flight updates via their website and advised them to be prepared for smoother travel, adding, “Stay updated on your flight status via [link]. It’s always better to be prepared to ensure smooth travels.”
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is coordinating with Tamil Nadu state agencies to ensure the safety of seafarers as the depression is expected to intensify into a cyclone and move towards the state. The ICG reported that its ships, aircraft, and radar stations have issued warnings for fishing boats to return to harbor. The ICG posted on X, “Deep Depression in the #BayofBengal likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards #Tamilnadu, as per #IMD. @IndiaCoastGuard Region HQs (East) is coordinating with state agencies to ensure seafarers’ safety. #ICG Ships, Aircraft & Radar Stations issuing advisories for fishing boats to return to harbour.”
- Intermittent rain continued on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta regions, affecting standing paddy crops. The IMD predicted that the cyclonic storm would weaken by the time it reaches the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression by the morning of November 30.
- In the Cauvery delta areas, paddy crops over an estimated 2,000 acres were partially or fully submerged in locations such as Tiruvarur, Thiruthuraipoondi, Muthupettai, Mayiladuthurai, and Vedaranyam. Farmers have provided rough estimates of the damage.
- Extensive salt pan areas in Nagapattinam (Vedaranyam) and Villupuram (Marakkanam) were flooded due to heavy rain. Rain-related incidents included the collapse of an old house in Tarangampadi and the wall of a Dharga tank at Jambuvanodai in Tiruvarur district. Uprooted trees also damaged nearby electricity poles, causing power outages, while several localities experienced flooding.
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