Cyclone Fengal to make landfall near Puducherry today, red alert issued for Southern states

As of now, 471 people from 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with senior officials stationed in their respective districts to coordinate disaster management efforts effectively.

Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall near Puducherry along the Tamil Nadu coast on Saturday, November 30, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for parts of southern India due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The cyclonic storm is forecast to make landfall on Saturday afternoon with wind speeds of up to 90 km/h.

In response, authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, and all schools and colleges in the region will remain closed. As per ANI, the IMD warned that the cyclone is likely to intensify and move northwestward. District Collector A Kulothungan held discussions with officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), local administration, police, and other line departments to review the situation and ensure preparedness.

The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has set up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 to receive distress calls from the public. A WhatsApp number, 9488981070, has also been provided for assistance, as per PTI. Meanwhile, in compliance with the advisory, 4,153 boats have returned to shore, and 2,229 relief camps are ready for use if needed.

KVS Srinivas, Director of the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, reported that “extremely heavy rainfall” is expected for the districts of Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor over the next 24 hours. The cyclone is forecast to cross the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast within six hours, with cyclone alerts issued for nearby Tamil Nadu districts.

S Balachandran, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, told ANI that the coastal districts, especially between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, would bear the brunt of Cyclone Fengal’s impact. Wind speeds were reported to have reached 50-60 km/h on Friday, with gusts up to 70 km/h. Heavy rainfall is expected between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm on Saturday, with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall across several areas.

Boats, generators, motor pumps, and other essential equipment have been prepared in advance. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state teams have been deployed in the affected districts, including Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Chengelpet, and Chennai.

As of now, 471 people from 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with senior officials stationed in their respective districts to coordinate disaster management efforts effectively.

(PTI, ANI)