CHENNAI: The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm on Friday afternoon, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday.
The cyclonic storm, named 'Fengal' and pronounced as 'Feinjal' is likely to make a landfall on November 30 afternoon close to Puducherry with a wind speed, gusting to 90 kmph. during the next three hours and cross northwestward of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry on Saturday afternoon, S Balachandran, head of a regional meteorological centre here said on Friday.
Yesterday, the models were showing a weakening of the weather system and crossing the coast as a depression, but things have changed.
At 14.30 hours IST of today, the 29th November 2024 the system lies over the latitude 11.2°N and longitude 82.2°E, about 310 km north-northeast of Trincomalee, 260 km east of Nagappattinam, 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km southeast of Chennai.
Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran held a meet at the state emergency operations centre here with senior officials to review preparatory and relief measures.
For November 30, the IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry.
Also, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal area.
During its landfall, the cyclonic storm is likely to bring wind speeds of 75–80 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 90 kmph. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in several districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Balachandran said.
The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining areas from November 29 to December 1. Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, and Puducherry are likely to witness significant downpours, which could lead to localised flooding. Fishermen have been advised to stay off the sea, and authorities have urged coastal residents to remain vigilant and prepared.
The cyclone’s wind speeds and intense rainfall pose a threat to infrastructure, crops, and transportation. Trees and weak structures may be uprooted, and power outages are possible in some areas. Emergency response teams are being mobilised, and evacuation plans are in place for low-lying and vulnerable regions.
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.
The Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments have activated disaster response protocols. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is on standby.
Boats, generators, motor pumps and all other necessary machinery and equipment are ready in districts and NDRF and state teams have been deployed wherever needed, including Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Chengelpet and Chennai.
Senior officials assigned to supervise and coordinate related tasks with district authorities are stationed in their respective districts.
Chennai and nearby districts of Chengelpet, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur and the delta districts including Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Tiruvarur witnessed light to moderate rainfall and a few places recorded heavy showers.
Residents in affected areas are advised to avoid travel during heavy rains, secure loose items around their homes, and follow updates from local authorities. Those living in low-lying or coastal areas should consider relocating to safer locations as advised.
(With inputs from Online Desk)
