Cyclone Storm Fengal:Live Updates

Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has reported that the deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal has moved north-northwest at a speed of 13 km/h over the past six hours and intensified into Cyclonic Storm Fengal at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 29.

At the time of intensification, Fengal was located approximately 310 km north-northeast of Trincomalee, 260 km east of Nagapattinam, 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry, and 300 km southeast of Chennai.

The storm is expected to continue its movement towards the west-northwest and make landfall along the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, between Karaikal and Mamallapuram, near Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with winds reaching speeds of 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h, by Saturday afternoon, November 30.

On Friday, very heavy rainfall is anticipated in isolated areas of Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal. When the cyclone makes landfall, heavy to torrential rain is expected to affect seven coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and surrounding areas, as well as Puducherry. The Delta districts and north interior areas of Tamil Nadu are also likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday, November 30.

Tamil Nadu Government Issues Advisory for Public Safety

The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) has issued a warning about the expected cyclone landfall on Saturday, November 30, 2024, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds. The public is strongly urged to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.In addition, the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority has advised people to avoid visiting beaches, amusement parks, or participating in recreational activities during this period.”The public is asked to fully cooperate with the disaster prevention measures put in place by the Government of Tamil Nadu,” the statement added.

Work-from-Home Advisory for IT Sector

In a related development, the Department of Information and Public Relations has requested IT companies to allow employees to work from home on Saturday, November 30, 2024, due to the cyclone.The advisory also noted that public transport services along East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be temporarily suspended in the afternoon on Saturday, November 30, as the cyclone makes landfall.

Chennai Prepares for Cyclone Fengal’s Impact

With Cyclone Fengal set to make landfall near Chennai on Saturday, November 30, 2024, the government and its agencies are taking precautionary measures to mitigate its effects. A public safety advisory has been issued ahead of the storm.

As part of these precautions, all schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts will be closed on Saturday. The government has also advised IT companies to implement work-from-home arrangements for their employees on the same day. Additionally, public transport services along East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be temporarily suspended on Saturday afternoon, according to an official statement.

Cyclone Fengal Expected to Make Landfall Near Puducherry

: Regional MeT Dept.The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai reported at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2024, that Cyclone Fengal was located 240 km east-northeast of Nagapattinam, 230 km east-southeast of Puducherry, and 250 km southeast of Chennai.The cyclone is predicted to move west-northwestward and is expected to make landfall near Puducherry as a cyclonic storm.

General Information

The name ‘Fengal’ was proposed by Saudi Arabia and is a word rooted in Arabic. It represents a blend of linguistic tradition and cultural identity, reflecting the regional diversity within the WMO/UNESCAP naming panel.