- विज्ञापन -
Chennai: According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Cyclone Fengal, which crossed the Puducherry coast at midnight, is anticipated to move west-southwest over Tamil Nadu and weaken into a deep depression.
S. Balachandran, the RMC director, stated on Sunday that the cyclone is currently moving west-southwest at 7 km/h and is likely to diminish into a deep depression. After remaining stationary near Puducherry for three hours, it has resulted in continuous heavy rainfall in the area.
In the past 24 hours, six locations recorded heavy rainfall, with three experiencing extremely heavy downpours. Cyclone Fengal is expected to continue moving westward slowly while gradually weakening over the northern coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Weather warnings issued earlier are still in effect, and the situation is being monitored closely with Doppler Weather Radars in Chennai and Karaikal.
The Mailam all-weather station in Villupuram reported 498 mm of rainfall from 8:30 a.m. on November 30 to 5:30 a.m. on December 1, while Puducherry received 469.5 mm during the same timeframe. The cyclone, which made landfall on November 30, dumped an astonishing 50 cm of rain in Villupuram in just 21 hours, according to weather department data.
Other districts also saw significant rainfall: Cuddalore recorded 179 mm, Tiruvannamalai 176.5 mm, Tiruvallur 136.5 mm, and Kancheepuram 120.5 mm.
The RMC has issued a red alert for Sunday, predicting heavy rainfall in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Puducherry. Other districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Dharmapuri, Salem, and parts of the Karaikal region, are also expected to experience heavy showers.
The ongoing downpour has led to flooding in low-lying areas of Chennai, disrupting flights and affecting EMU train services. Central Chennai neighborhoods such as Korattur, Koyambedu, Virugambakkam, Nungambakkam, T. Nagar, and Alwarpet faced severe inundation.
Power supply was interrupted in several areas on Saturday evening. Flight operations at Chennai International Airport resumed on Sunday morning after Cyclone Fengal moved past, following a temporary suspension on Saturday due to heavy rain and strong winds that left many passengers stranded for 8 to 10 hours as flights were canceled without prior notice.
