Cyclone Fengal Highlights: Puducherry declares holiday for schools, colleges amid heavy rain

Moderate intensity rainfall with moderate thunderstorms and lightning likely at isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Moderate intensity rainfall with light thunderstorms and lightning likely at isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

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.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning to fishermen to stay away from the waters, as Cyclone Fengal is expected to reach the coast by tomorrow evening.

The visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Tiruvarur to attend its 9th convocation on Saturday is cancelled due to Cyclone Fengal, said CUTN, Tiruvarur administration

Cyclone Fengal is set to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast on the evening of November 30, with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph. The IMD has issued a red alert for Chittoor, Nellore, Tirupati, and Annamayya districts in Andhra Pradesh due to expected extremely heavy rainfall, while Prakasam and YSR Kadapa districts are under an orange alert. Coastal Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to experience heavy rainfall starting November 29, with interior Tamil Nadu likely to see significant rain on November 30. Fishermen are warned to avoid the southwest Bay of Bengal due to rough seas.

On Cyclone Fengal, Director, Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, Srinuvas says, "...It is likely to move in the northwest direction and intensify into a cyclonic storm. In the next six hours, it is likely to move in the northwest direction towards and cross North Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry coast...Cyclone alert has been issued for the adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu...We have given an extremely heavy rainfall warning for the districts of Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor for the next 24 hours..."

On Cyclone Fengal, IMD Head Ananda Das says, "As far as the impact of the cyclone is concerned, slight rainfall has started. It is still 300-350 km away from the coastline of Tamil Nadu. The landfall is expected tomorrow evening on the coast of Tamil Nadu. The speed of wind would be 70-80 kmph gusting to 90kmph. It has turned into a cyclonic storm... Coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy rainfall... On November 30, there will be heavy rainfall in the interior area of Tamil Nadu... Red alert has been issued in view of heavy rainfall..."

The Cyclonic Storm Fengal developed from a Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal, advancing north-northwestwards at 13kmph over six hours. As of 2:30pm, it was positioned in the same region, approximately 310 km north-northeast of Trincomalee, 260 km east of Nagappattinam, 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km southeast of Chennai.

The storm is expected to proceed west-northwestwards, making landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry along the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline. The crossing is anticipated during November 30 afternoon, with the cyclone maintaining wind speeds of 70-80 kmph and gusts reaching up to 90 kmph.

"The deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal is still classified as a deep depression but is intensifying. We expect it to develop into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours," says Ananda Kumar Das, Scientist, IMD, giving an update on weather conditions in south India in view of Cyclone Fengal.

Moderate intensity rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning at a few places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengelpet districts

Light to moderate intensity rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places over Ranipet, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Madurai and Dindigual districts and Puducherry and Karaikal area.

As per IMD, Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 06 hours. Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during afternoon 30th November.

Chennai Rain Live: The deep depression to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 3 hours

Chennai is witnessing high tides and gusty winds due to the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that the system, currently moving northwestwards, is likely to cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, by the morning of November 30. It is expected to weaken into a depression during landfall, with wind speeds of 45-55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.

Coastal areas, particularly Chennai and its neighboring districts, are already feeling the effects of the depression. The IMD has warned of rough sea conditions and advised fishermen to refrain from venturing out. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also predicted for the region, especially along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

• 5 cm: Tondiarpet, Basin Bridge, Anna University, YMCA Nandanam, Thiruvottiyur, Chennai (N), Taramani, Ice House, Madhavaram, Ennore, Chennai Central, Kolathur, Manali, Royapuram, Perambur.

• 4 cm: Anna Nagar, Meenambakkam, Kodambakkam, Adyar, Pallikaranai, Vadapalani, Aminjikarai, Madipakkam, Sholinganallur, Ambattur, Velachery, Ponneri.

• 3 cm: Uthandi, Maduravoyal, Valasaravakkam, Red Hills, Kelambakkam, Gummidipoondi, Mugalivakkam.

• 2 cm: Chengalpattu, Velankanni, Karaikal, Mahabalipuram, Sirkali, Mayiladuthurai.

• 1 cm: Mahabalipuram, Cholavaram, Sembanarkoil, Kodiayakarai, Chembarambakkam.

The Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 7kmph in the past six hours and lay centred at 5.30am today, over the same region about 260 km northeast of Trincomalee, 310 km east of Nagappattinam, 360 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 400km southeast of Chennai.

It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry around morning of November 30 as a deep depression with a wind speed of 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph.

Heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal on Thursday has severely impacted Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district, with over 800 acres of paddy crops completely submerged, leaving farmers in distress.

The affected areas include Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, Pudupalli, Vedrappu, Vanamadevi, Vallapallam, Kallimedu, Eeravayal, and Chemboadi, where widespread crop damage has been reported.






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Chennai Rain Live: India Meteorological Department posted on 'X'

The deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, initially predicted to intensify into a cyclonic storm, is now expected to gradually weaken into a depression as it nears the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the system is likely to move northwestward, maintaining its intensity as a deep depression until November 29, 2024, before weakening into a depression as it approaches the coasts.

The depression is forecast to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, close to Puducherry, by the morning of November 30. After it reaches the coast, the system will bring moderate winds, with speeds ranging between 45 and 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h, along with heavy rainfall in coastal regions.

The deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal remained nearly stationary, located about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, it is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours.

The system will move north-northwestwards, skirting the Sri Lanka coast, and is likely to strengthen into a cyclonic storm during this period, the RMC said in its latest bulletin.

"To cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram around the morning of November 30, as a deep depression with a wind speed of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph," it said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated on Friday that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is "very likely" to cross the coast as a depression on November 30, between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards at a speed of 9 kmph over the past six hours and, as of 11:30 PM on November 28, was centered over the same region. It lay approximately 240 km northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 330 km east-southeast of Nagappattinam, 390 km east-southeast of Puducherry, and 430 km southeast of Chennai, according to the weather office's latest update on 'X.'

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued six stranded fishermen and four workers from the Chemplast jetty in Cuddalore, situated approximately 2 km offshore, despite deteriorating weather conditions on Thursday.

"In a remarkable #SearchAndRescue operation, @IndiaCoastGuard safely evacuated six stranded fishermen and four workers from the #Cuddalore Chemplast jetty, about 2 km into the sea, amidst deteriorating weather conditions. Kudos to our brave crew for their unwavering commitment and swift action. #RescueMission," the ICG posted on X.

In view of heavy rain, Chennai district collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade has announced a holiday for schools on Friday.

Chengalpettu district has also declared a holiday for schools due to heavy rain on Friday. Read more

As a result of the system's northerly and northwesterly movement, which covered only 75 km in 24 hours, the location of the anticipated landfall has shifted.

Originally, the system was expected to make landfall farther north, but now it is projected to strike closer to the southern coastal regions, between Karaikal and Mamallapuram. This change in the landfall location is a direct result of the slow movement and altered course of the deep depression.

The IMD has explained that a combination of environmental factors has slowed the system's development. The deep depression's interaction with the coast of Sri Lanka, reduced low-level convergence, and the presence of an upper-tropospheric ridge (an area of high atmospheric pressure) has resulted in the system's slow movement and prevented it from intensifying. This slow progression has altered the rainfall patterns, with the system’s impact expected to be more prolonged rather than intensified.

The IMD forecasts that on November 29, 19 districts from Chengalpet to Nagapattinam and adjoining areas will receive rainfall ranging from heavy to extremely heavy. On November 30, the north coastal districts, including 24 districts from Tiruvallur to Cuddalore, are likely to experience extremely heavy to heavy rainfall. This rainfall is expected to bring the potential for flooding and waterlogging, especially in areas that are already prone to such conditions.

The deep depression has been moving very slowly, at a rate of about 3 km/h, which has delayed the expected intensification into a cyclone. This slow movement is due to several factors, including reduced low-level convergence and an upper-tropospheric ridge, which affects atmospheric pressure. As a result, the rain intensity is not expected to drastically change, though heavy rain is still forecasted. The rain could begin on Friday morning or afternoon and continue into the weekend.

According to the IMD, the deep depression will continue as a deep depression until the morning of November 29, before weakening further into a depression. The system’s slow-moving nature, combined with the lack of significant change in atmospheric conditions, has reduced the likelihood of cyclone formation. Despite this, rainfall is still expected to impact the region, particularly as the system makes landfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Chennai on November 29, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. On November 30, the alert level increases to red, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at one or two locations.

This red alert also extends to Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpet districts, which are likely to experience intense rainfall as the system moves northward, though the intensity may not significantly change due to the slow movement of the system.

The city of Chennai and its surrounding neighborhoods are likely to experience significant rainfall on November 29-30 due to the deep depression located 470 km southeast of Chennai.

Initially forecast to intensify into a cyclone, the system is now expected to weaken into a depression by Friday evening.

While the cyclone formation has been ruled out, heavy rain will still occur, with the system expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram on Saturday morning.