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

Several flights operating from Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport have been cancelled or diverted due to adverse weather conditions in Chennai and Tirupati caused by Cyclone Fengal.

According to a press release issued by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, a total of 20 flights were affected, including cancellations and diversions. The cancellations include three flights from Hyderabad to Chennai (HYD-MAA); seven flights from Hyderabad to Tirupati (HYD-TIR); three flights from Chennai to Hyderabad (MAA-HYD); seven flights from Tirupati to Hyderabad (TIR-HYD).

Several residential neighbourhoods were heavily inundated in Chennai after Cyclone Fengal's landfall. These included parts of Korattur, Velachery-Madipakkam and Kodungaiyur, PTI reported.

Rainwater also entered houses in suburban localities, such as the Hasthinapuram--Tirumalai Nagar, and residents had to place even refrigerators and washing machines on cots to prevent them from getting damaged.

After Cyclone Fengal's landfall caused heavy downpours, the rainwater entered the premises of two state-run hospitals at Chromepet, a general hospital and a facility for thoracic medicine, both of which are located side by side and frequented by people, PTI reported.

Hospitals and houses were inundated in Chennai and its neighbourhoods on Saturday following Cyclone Fengal's heavy downpour, as civic authorities said clearing works were being carried out on a 'war-footing.'

Barricades and umbrellas were swept away by gusty winds and road users scurried for cover as rains poured, PTI reported.

After making landfall, Cyclone Fengal began crossing the coast of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry around 4 am. Post the landfall, it is forecasted to move west-southwestwards and gradually weaken into a deep depression within the next six hours.

“The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” [pronounced as FEINJAL] over north coastal Tamilnadu & Puducherry remained practically stationary during past 1 hour and lay centered at 0030 hrs IST of today, the 01st December 2024 over the same region near latitude 12.0°N and longitude 79.8°E, close to Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph,” the IMD said in its hourly update.

“The cyclonic storm “FENGAL” will move west-south westwards slowly and weaken gradually into a deep depression during the next 3 hours,” the agency added.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclonic storm “Fengal” had crossed the coast across northern Tamilnadu by 2 am.

“The Cyclonic Storm FENGAL crossed North Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts near latitude 12.05°N and longitude 79.9°E, close to Puducherry, between 2230 hrs IST and 2330 hrs IST of yesterday, the 30th November 2024 as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph. It lay centered at 2330 hours IST of yesterday, the 30th November 2024 over north coastal Tamilnadu & Puducherry near latitude 12.0°N and longitude 79.8°E, close to Puducherry,” the IMD said on X.

It will continue to move west-south-westwards slowly and weaken gradually into a deep depression during the next 3 hours, the agency added.

Due to the heavy rains in Chennai caused by Cyclone Fengal, the Southern Railway announced changes in train services. The Dr. MGR Chennai Central-Jolarpettai Yelagiri Express (Train No. 16089), scheduled to depart from Dr. MGR Chennai Central at 17:55 hours today, has been fully cancelled.

The Gorakhpur-Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli) Raptisagar Express (Train No. 12511), which departed from Gorakhpur at 06:35 hours on November 29, will be diverted via Korukkupet and Perambur, skipping its scheduled stop at Dr. MGR Chennai Central. The train will have an additional stoppage at Perambur, with timings of 23:30 (arrival) and 23:35 (departure), Southern Railway said in a press release.

The Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express (Train No. 13351), which departed from Dhanbad at 11:35 hours on November 29, will also be diverted via Korukkupet and Perambur, skipping its scheduled stop at Dr. MGR Chennai Central. The train will have an additional stoppage at Perambur, with timings of 23:50 (arrival) and 23:55 (departure). (ANI)

“Latest observations indicate that the center of the cyclone is crossing the coast. It is very likely to move west-southwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the next 1 hour. After landfall, it will continue to move west-southwestwards and weaken gradually into a deep depression during next 6 hours,” said the IMD in its latest update on Cyclone Fengal.

“The system is being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Chennai,” the agency added.

Puducherry District Collector A. Kulothungan stated that the district administration had taken comprehensive steps to prepare for Cyclone Fengal.

"The district administration has made elaborate arrangements to address the impact of Cyclone Fengal," Kulothungan told ANI. "The war room is operational, and relief centres have been established with all necessary arrangements in place. Warning messages have been disseminated, and approximately 4,000 government officials are on duty," he added.

Sharing the latest update about Cyclone Fengal, IMD said, "The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” [pronounced as FEINJAL] over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-southwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2130 hours IST of today, the 30th November 2024 over the southwest Bay of Bengal close to North Tamil Nadu - Puducherry coasts, close to the coast, 50 km south-southwest of Mahabalipuram, 30 km northeast of Puducherry and 90 km south-southwest of Chennai."

"Latest observations indicate that the forward sector of spiral bands associated with the cyclone has entered further inside the land. It is likely to move west-southwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during next 2 hours. Landfall process will continue during the same period," it added.

With Cyclone Fengal making landfall in Tamil Nadu, heavy waterlogging was witnessed in Chennai throughout the day amid incessant rainfall.

Several roads and neighbourhoods were heavily inundated in the city.

Here's everything on Cyclone Fengal from today

The India Meteorological Department forecast extremely heavy rains at one or two places over SPSR-Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at one or two places over South Coastal and Rayalaseema due to Cyclone Fengal, IMD said.

Heavy rain is likely to occur at one or two places over the Prakasam, SPSR-Nellore, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Tirupati and Chittoor Districts on Sunday, it added.

Visuals from Tamil Nadu's Chengalpattu showed gusting winds as Cyclone Fengal began making landfall a while back near Puducherry.

IMD officials had said that the process might take around 4 hours to get completed.

Official sources in Chennai said that apart from the cancellation of 55 flights, 19 others were diverted after two runways and taxiways were inundated after heavy rains.

The services included both domestic and international flights.

The latest update shared by the India Meteorological Department said, "The Cyclonic Storm Fengal over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-southwestwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 1730 hours IST of today over the southwest Bay of Bengal off North Tamil Nadu coast near latitude 12.2°N and longitude 80.3°E, about 40 km away from the coast, 50 km south-southeast of Mahabalipuram, 60 km east-northeast of Puducherry and 90 km south of Chennai."

"Latest observations indicate that the forward sector of spiral bands associated with the cyclone has entered into the land. It is likely to move west-southwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during next 3 to 4 hours," it added.

An official from the India Meteorological Department has said that the landfall process of the cyclonic storm Fengal may take approximately four hours.

Chennai Cyclone Fengal Live: Cyclone 'Fengal' begins landfall near Puducherry, reports PTI quoting IMD official. Process may take four hours to complete, the official says.

Chennai Cyclone Fengal Live: “It (Fengal) is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during evening of 30th November. There is a possibility of slow movement of the system while approaching the coasts,” says IMD.

Chennai Cyclone Fengal Live: “Following consultations with AAI Headquarters and considering feedback from stakeholders, it has been decided to extend the closure of operations through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) until 0400 IST on 1st December 2024. We recommend passengers check with their respective airlines regarding their flights,” tweets Chennai Airport.

Chennai Cyclone Fengal Live: Ahead of Fengal's landfall, its effect intensifies on the shores of Tamil Nadu.

Chennai Cyclone Fengal Live: In Chennai, Public transportation services were hit and people used flyovers and spaces beneath, such as parking lots, to avoid a repeat of what was endured during the 2015 floods. In view of the rains and copious inflows, reservoirs such as Chembarambakkam looked like an ocean.

Chennai Cyclone Fengal Live: Waterlogging witnessed in Poonamallee High Road (EVR Periyar Salai) near the Egmore area of Chennai after the city received heavy rainfall as Cyclone Fengal intensifies.