LIVE | Cyclone Fengal begins landfall; Chennai airport halts ops till 4 am Sunday
Parts of Chennai and other regions of Tamil Nadu waterlogged as Cyclone Fengal brings heavy rain; one dead
Cyclone Fengal started making landfall close to Puducherry around 5.30 pm on Saturday (November 30), and it may take about four hours for it to cross the coast completely, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official.
Early in the day, Puducherry officials asked residents to stay indoors in view of the landfall.
In Tamil Nadu, heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds pounded several northern parts of the state, affecting normalcy. Chennai airport has been closed till 4 am on Sunday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the situation at the State Emergency Operations Centre in Chennai.
All schools and colleges in Puducherry remained closed on Saturday in view of the storm with wind speeds up to 90 kmph.
Also read: Cyclone Fengal: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry brace for very heavy rain
The Tamil Nadu Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has set up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 to receive distress calls from the public. People can also seek help through the WhatsApp number 9488981070.
Complying with an advisory, 4,153 boats returned to the shore and 2,229 relief camps are ready for use if needed, the state government said early in the day.
Boats, generators, motor pumps and all other necessary machinery and equipment were ready and NDRF and state teams were deployed wherever needed, including Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Chengelpet and Chennai.
Senior officials assigned to supervise and coordinate related tasks with district authorities were stationed in their respective districts.
Stayed tuned to this page for all the live updates about Cyclone Fengal
Live Updates
- 30 Nov 2024 3:15 PM IST
Heavy rain predicted in southern Andhra
The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers at many places over south coastal and Rayalaseema regions while extremely heavy rains are expected at one or two places over SPSR-Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh.
According to IMD, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at one or two places over South Coastal and Rayalaseema due to Cyclone Fengal.
Heavy rain is likely to occur at one or two places over the Prakasam, SPSR-Nellore, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Tirupati and Chittoor Districts on Sunday, it said Squally winds with speed reaching 50 Kmph may prevail over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
- 30 Nov 2024 2:44 PM IST
Parts of Chennai flooded, trees uprooted
Many parts of Chennai are inundated and trees have been uprooted. According to Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) authorities, 22,000 personnel, including engineers, officials, and sanitary workers, are on the job, and 1,686 motor pumps of various capacities, including 25-hp and 100-hp, are in use. As many as 484 tractor-mounted heavy-duty pumps and 137 pumps of 100-hp capacity have been deployed.
The GCC said work is underway on a “war footing” to clear waterlogging in 134 spots and, of the nine trees that fell, five have been cleared. Of the 22 subways, traffic flow is smooth in 21. The Ganesapuram subway had already been closed for tasks related to railway bridge work.
Reservoirs that cater to the city’s drinking water needs, such as Chembarmbakkam and Poondi, have received copious inflow.
- 30 Nov 2024 2:03 PM IST
Puducherry CM visits a coastal area
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy (right) visits a coastal area affected by heavy rains. PTI
- 30 Nov 2024 1:57 PM IST
A waterlogged road in Chennai
A waterlogged road after heavy rainfall owing to Cyclone Fengal, in Chennai, Saturday, November 30. PTI
