Chennai (Tamil Nadu), December 1: Cyclone Fengal made landfall along the Puducherry coast on Saturday evening, bringing with it extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy downpours for Puducherry today, with moderate rainfall expected on December 2.
The cyclone struck the coast near Puducherry between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM IST on Saturday, with wind speeds reaching 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph. According to the IMD, Cyclone Fengal will continue its west-southwestward trajectory and weaken into a deep depression within the next few hours.
In its National Bulletin, IMD stated that northern Tamil Nadu, particularly isolated areas, is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall today. Wind speeds along the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts are expected to decrease gradually after peaking on November 30.
The cyclone was last reported at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 79.8°E, near Puducherry, at 11:30 PM IST on November 30. The IMD advised residents in affected areas to stay indoors and adhere to local authorities’ instructions to ensure safety.
In response to the cyclone’s impact, residents in vulnerable areas near Kalpakkam in Chengalpattu district have been relocated to relief camps. Authorities remain on high alert, monitoring the situation closely to minimize risks to life and property.