Cyclone Fengal Landfall Expected Today: Red Alert Issued for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry; Flight Services Disrupted

Cyclone Fengal is set to make landfall on the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast this afternoon, prompting authorities to issue a red alert for several southern states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and interior Karnataka, with strong winds and potential flooding expected throughout the weekend.

Cyclone Path and Impact

As of Friday, Cyclone Fengal is located about 300-350 km off the Tamil Nadu coast. The storm is predicted to move west-northwestward, making landfall near Puducherry between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram by Saturday afternoon. Wind speeds are expected to range from 70-80 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 90 km/h as the storm intensifies.

Coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh are expected to experience the heaviest rainfall, with interior Tamil Nadu also facing intense showers.

Ongoing Impact and Warnings

• School Closures: Schools and colleges in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, have been closed due to the storm’s forecasted heavy rainfall.
• Flight Disruptions: IndiGo Airlines has warned passengers of delays or cancellations for flights to and from Tamil Nadu airports, including Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai, as well as flights to Tirupati and Visakhapatnam.
• Cyclone Warnings for Andhra Pradesh: Districts such as Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. Cyclone alerts have been issued for nearby districts.

Weather Forecast

Wind speeds on Friday reached 50-60 km/h, with gusts up to 70 km/h. Heavy rainfall is expected between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm on Saturday, with other areas facing scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Preparations and Precautions

• Disaster Response: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts like Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Chennai. Emergency equipment such as boats and generators have been pre-positioned.
• Emergency Contacts: Toll-free numbers 112 and 1077, along with a WhatsApp helpline at 9488981070, have been set up for distress calls.
• Fishing Advisory: Fishermen in Puducherry have been advised not to venture into the sea, and boats must be moved to higher ground.

High Alert in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu

Puducherry is on high alert, with schools and colleges closed on Saturday. Local authorities are coordinating disaster management efforts to ensure preparedness as the region braces for Cyclone Fengal.