Cyclone Fengal Hits Tamil Nadu Tomorrow, Red Alert Issued

Cyclone Fengal is poised to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast tomorrow evening, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for several southern states due to anticipated heavy rainfall.

As of this evening, the cyclone is situated approximately 300-350 km from the Tamil Nadu coastline. Ananda Das, Head of the IMD’s Cyclonic Division, stated, “The landfall is expected tomorrow evening on the coast of Tamil Nadu. During landfall, wind speeds are projected to be 70-80 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h.”

The IMD has forecasted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across various regions:

Coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh: Anticipated to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.

Interior Tamil Nadu: Expected to experience heavy rainfall on November 30.

From Tamil Nadu to Kerala and interior Karnataka: Heavy rainfall is predicted until December 1.

In response to these forecasts, a red alert has been issued for the affected areas.

The Puducherry Fisheries Department has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea and to relocate their fishing boats and equipment to higher grounds to prevent damage. Their statement noted, “The cyclone is currently situated in the Bay of Bengal, expected to move west-northwest and cross the coast near Puducherry tomorrow (30.11.2024) around noon. During this time, wind speeds are expected to reach 70-80 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h.”

Additionally, the Puducherry Port has raised warning signal number 7, indicating that a cyclone is likely to cross the coast over or near the port.

Earlier today, the IMD announced, “The Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm FENGAL over the same region at 2:30 pm today, November 29.”

Preceding the cyclone’s landfall, heavy rainfall has already caused significant damage. In Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, over 800 acres of paddy crops have been submerged, leaving farmers in distress. Affected areas include Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, Pudupalli, Vedrappu, Vanamadevi, Vallapallam, Kallimedu, Eeravayal, and Chemboadi.

Also read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu Mourns Loss Of Father Joseph Prabhu With Emotional Tribute

Authorities urge residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories as Cyclone Fengal approaches, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding to the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.