Cyclone Fengal highlights: Army, NDRF's rescue ops on in Puducherry, train services resume in Chennai

Cyclone Fengal updates: Indian Army troops rescued over a 100 people in Puducherry on Sunday.

Cyclone Fengal updates: Cyclone Fengal completed the landfall process on Sunday around 2 am as it crossed the Tamil Nadu coast between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, the IMD said. After making landfall, Cyclone Fengal was forecasted to move west-southwestwards but it remained stationary for six hours near Puducherry. After a brief suspension, the Chennai airport resumed flight operations on Sunday at around 4 am. However, flyers complained of delayed and cancelled flights even after the operations resumed.

Meanwhile, a relief operation led by the Indian Army and NDRF also began at 6:15 am, with over 100 individuals being evacuated in the first two hours.

Has Cyclone Fengal crossed Chennai

Cyclonic Storm Fengal crossed the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Saturday late night and was forecasted to move west-southwestward. But so far, the storm remained stationary for six hours near Puducherry.

It will later weaken into a deep depression within the next few hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

What is the speed of Cyclone Fengal?

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the winds reached 70-80 kilometres per hour to 90 kmph in the coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone Fengal to weaken into deep depression

The IMD forecast said it is expected to move westward slowly and likely to weaken into a deep depression over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next six hours.

On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the preparedness as the state is likely to receive heavy rainfall for the next 48 hours given Cyclone Fengal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued a red alert for several parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The region is predicted to experience weather changes, including high tides and heavy rainfall.

IMD head of Cyclonic division Ananda Das said a red alert has been issued in view of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several parts of Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and interior Karnataka.

"Mostly coastal districts, with the crossing point between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, will experience more impact. There will be wind and rainfall. Today, wind speeds reached 50-60 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h. Between 1 pm and 2 pm, there will be extremely heavy rainfall. At many places, there will be scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall," the director of the regional meteorological centre of Chennai, Dr S Balachandran said.

All schools and colleges remained closed on Saturday in Puducherry and various districts of Tamil Nadu, including Kanchipuram.

Meanwhile, the Puducherry fisheries department has issued an advisory for fishermen, urging them not to venture into the sea as Cyclone Fengal approaches. The advisory also instructed fishermen to move their boats and equipment to higher ground to prevent damage.

Cyclone Fengal updates: Here are some quick points

• Chennai Airport resumed flight operations on Sunday at around 4 am.
• Rescue and relief operations began in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry with NDRF, and Indian Army teams deployed in the affected areas.
• A Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column consisting of one officer, six Junior commissioned officers and 62 other ranks was deployed in Puducherry.
• IMD predicted heavy rainfall in Puducherry on Sunday and "moderate" rain for December 2.
• A red alert has been issued in view of heavy to extremely heavy rainfalls in several parts of Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and interior Karnataka.
• Coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy rainfall on November 30.
• All schools and educational institutes will remain closed in Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• The IMD has also advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea in the districts most likely to be impacted due to Cyclone Fengal.
• The affected areas include Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, Pudupalli, Vedrappu, Vanamadevi, Vallapallam, Kallimedu, Eeravayal, and Chemboadi.
• The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has set up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 to receive distress calls from the public. People can also seek help through the WhatsApp number 9488981070.
• As of now, a total of 471 people belonging to 164 families have been accommodated in six relief centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
• The Indian Navy on Thursday also activated a comprehensive disaster response plan as Cyclone Fengal intensifies in the Bay of Bengal.

Cyclone Fengal: Do's and Dont's

• Check the house; secure loose tiles and carry out repairs of doors and windows
• Remove dead branches or dying trees close to the house; anchor removable objects such as lumber piles, loose tin sheets, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign-boards etc. which can fly in strong winds
• Keep some wooden boards ready so that glass windows can be boarded if needed
• Keep a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, battery-operated torches and enough dry cells
• Demolish condemned buildings
• Keep some extra batteries for transistors
• Keep some dry non-perishable food always ready for use in emergency
• One must remain in the shelter until informed that you can return to your home.
• One must get inoculated against diseases immediately.
• Strictly avoid any loose and dangling wires from lamp posts.
• If you have to drive, do drive carefully.
• Clear debris from your premises immediately.
• Report the correct losses to the appropriate authorities.