Cyclone Fengal Intensifies; Heavy Rain And Winds To Hit Tamil Nadu Coast Photo: PTI Cyclone Fengal Intensifies; Heavy Rain And Winds To Hit Tamil Nadu Coast Photo: PTI

Cyclonic storm 'Fengal' over Bay of Bengal is likely to cross Puducherry on November 30 afternoonezwin, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in a few places while extremely heavy rainfall has been predicted for isolated places in north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The IMD has issued a red alert for several parts of Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and interior Karnataka.

The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” [pronounced as FEINJAL] over Southwest Bay of Bengalmoved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 1730 hoursIST of today, the 29th November 2024 over the same region near latitude 11.5°N and longitude81.9°E,… pic.twitter.com/La3VSSE6Uw

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 29, 2024 Cyclone Fengal: Key points at a glance

Schools, colleges closed: In view of the worsening weather conditions, the Tamil Nadu government appealed to people to stay indoors and declared November 30 a holiday for educational institutions. All schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal regions would remain shut for two days from Friday. IT companies were requested to allow employees to work from home.

NDRF team deployed: A national disaster response team has been activated by the Indian Navy as Cyclone Fengal intensifies. The officials also advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea until November 31.

Advisory issued: Construction companies have been asked to take precautionary measures to ensure that equipment, machinery does not fall down. Similarly, those who had erected advertisement hoardings must ensure that these were swept away.

An official release read, "Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority urges the general public to avoid visiting beaches, amusement parks and attending recreational events. The general public are requested to cooperate fully with the disaster prevention measures taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu."

MK Stalin chaired high level meeting

In view of IMD's prediction, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin earlier chaired a high-level meeting in Chennai at the Secretariat where he reviewed the precautionary measures and rushed NDRF and State teams to Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore districts.

District collectors and IAS officials of the concerned regions have been tasked with monitoring and coordinating rain-related tasks. During the meeting, the collectors apprised the chief minister that adequate number of relief camps and medical teams were on standby and all other necessary arrangements were in place too.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Revenue and Disaster Managementezwin, KKSSR Ramachandran, Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and top state officials.

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