Chennai (Tamil Nadu), December 1: Flight operations at Chennai International Airport resumed on Sunday morning after Cyclone Fengal made landfall, causing temporary suspension of services. The cyclone, which crossed the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts late Saturday night, brought heavy rains and gusty winds, disrupting normal life across the region.
The airport had suspended operations on Saturday due to strong winds and heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal. Airlines issued travel advisories and updated flight schedules, leading to delays and cancellations. Many passengers were stranded for hours, some waiting up to 10 hours at the airport.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal was classified as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 65-75 km/h, gusting up to 85 km/h, as it hovered over North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. IMD reported the cyclone would weaken into a deep depression within hours and move west-southwestward.
In a post on X, IMD stated, “Cyclonic Storm ‘FENGAL’ [pronounced as FEINJAL] lay centred at 12.0°N and 79.8°E near Puducherry at 12:30 AM IST on December 1, with wind speeds of 65-75 km/h, gusting to 85 km/h. It will weaken into a deep depression and is being monitored by Doppler Weather Radars at Chennai and Karaikal.”
Cyclone Fengal made landfall between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM IST on Saturday near Puducherry, with wind speeds reaching 70-80 km/h and gusts of up to 90 km/h. Authorities relocated affected residents to relief camps in areas like Kalpakkam in Chengalpattu district to ensure their safety.
The cyclone caused significant disruption, including heavy rains, gusty winds, and affected road and air travel, particularly in Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu.