New Bharat TV
Chennai:
The India Meteorological Department said this evening that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone – named Fengal, pronounced 'Fenjal' – and is expected to hit the Tamil Nadu coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram by mid-Saturday. There is a possibility of crossing.
The cyclone is expected to cause wind speed of 70-80 km per hour and gusting to 90 km per hour.
“The deep depression over the south-west Bay of Bengal has moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 13 kmph in the last six hours (and) intensified into Cyclonic Storm Fengal…at 2.30 pm (November 29) “It was 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km south-east of Chennai,” the IMD said.
“It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram (but close to Puducherry) as a cyclonic storm…”
Chennai Meteorological Center Director Dr S Balachandran warned of moderate rainfall over northern Tamil Nadu and coastal districts, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places. He said that there will also be extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places.
It moved west-northwestwards and struck north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with winds of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the afternoon of 30 November. There is a possibility of crossing. pic.twitter.com/P1jKzFpBLK
– India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) 29 November 2024
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal until further notice.
Across Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts have been put on red alert, as has Puducherry.
Orange alert is in effect in Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam and Karaikal districts.
#Watch Tamil Nadu: IMD has issued a warning to fishermen not to venture into the sea as the deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm from the evening of November 28 to the morning of November 29.
(Drone view… pic.twitter.com/qWRfjFRQWl
– ANI (@ANI) 28 November 2024
Interior districts have also been warned of rain as Fengal moves inland after Sunday.
The impact of Cyclone Fangal has already been felt in the southern state.
Ahead of impact, state capital Chennai is experiencing high tides and strong winds.
Heavy rains on Thursday caused extensive damage to paddy crops spread over 800 acres in Nagapattinam district. And, this morning, schools and colleges in Chennai, Chengalpattu and Cuddalore areas were closed for the day due to the threat of heavy rain.
Read | Heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry due to Fangal; schools, colleges closed
Meanwhile, the Navy has activated a 'Comprehensive Disaster Response Plan'.
Read | Tamil Nadu prepares for Fengle, Navy prepares disaster response plan
Under this plan, the Eastern Naval Command will work to minimize any potential impact by focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as search and rescue operations.
Video | Helicopter rescues 6 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were stranded for 36 hours
The Navy is working closely with the state government to ensure prompt response.
Vehicles are being loaded with relief material including food, drinking water and medicines, while special flood relief teams (FRTs) are being deployed in sensitive areas.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his Puducherry counterpart N Rangasamy have chaired meetings to assess preparedness for the heavy rains and storm. Mr Stalin has said his government is prepared to face the storm and has also urged the public to exercise caution outside their homes.
It is the second cyclone to affect the Indian coast post-monsoon after Cyclone Dana, which crossed Odisha as a 'severe' category storm in late October.
with inputs from agencies
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