Cyclone Fengal made landfall on Saturday evening near Puducherry, bringing ferocious winds and torrential rain to Tamil Nadu’s northern coast. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the cyclonic storm crossed between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram around 8:30 pm IST with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph.
The landfall was preceded by heavy showers as the forward spiral bands of the cyclone began lashing coastal areas earlier in the evening. Mahabalipuram, Chennai, and Puducherry witnessed widespread rainfall and disruptions, with authorities warning of potential flooding in low-lying areas.
Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea, and the local administration has activated disaster response teams to handle emergencies. Essential services are being monitored closely as strong winds uproot trees and powerlines in some areas.
IMD predicts the storm will continue moving west-southwestwards over the next few hours, gradually weakening into a deep depression. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu remains on high alert, with evacuation efforts underway to safeguard residents in vulnerable zones.
Cyclone Fengal serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to tropical storms, underscoring the importance of robust preparedness and response systems.
