Cyclone Fengal: Deep depression intensifies into cyclonic storm, landfall likely tomorrow

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Fengal' on Friday afternoon. The storm is expected to make landfall near Puducherry on Saturday, November 30 with wind speeds gusting up to 90 kmph. Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran chaired a meeting with senior officials at the state emergency operations centre to review preparedness and relief measures.

The IMD has issued heavy rain warnings for several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore. Additionally, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam, as well as the Karaikal area. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and follow safety



advisories.

An IMD-Regional Meteorological Centre's bulletin issued here said: "Morning's deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards, intensified into cyclonic storm Fengal (pronounced as Fenjal) and lay centred at 1430 hours IST of today, the 29th November 2024. 260 km east of Nagapattinam, 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km southeast of Chennai." It further said that it is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph on Saturday afternoon. 

Meanwhile, complying with an advisory, 4,153 boats have returned shore and 2,229 relief camps were ready for use if needed, the state government said. As of now, a total of 471 people belonging to 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.