Cyclone Fengal will make landfall near Puducherry today, IMD has issued a red alert for the entire Tamil Nadu

As Cyclone Fengal intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall, Tamil Nadu authorities have issued urgent advisories and activated critical safety measures. The storm, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, has prompted the state government to close schools and colleges in several districts, suspend public transport and advise IT companies to implement work-from-home policies.

All educational institutions, schools and colleges in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu will remain closed on November 30 to ensure safety of students. The expected landfall near Puducherry is expected around noon and will coincide with peak winds of up to 70-80 kmph and gusts of up to 90 kmph.

Public transport suspended

The government also suspended public transport along crucial routes, including East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road, during the peak of the storm to reduce risks associated with strong winds and heavy rains.

The state has recommended IT companies to allow their employees to work from home on November 30 to minimize commuting during the peak effects of Cyclone Fengal and ensure their safety.

Relief measures in preparation

Ahead of the cyclone, the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department has set up 2,229 relief camps across the state for people in need of shelter. Already, 471 persons from 164 families have taken shelter in shelters in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam. Local authorities have mobilized essential equipment such as motor pumps, generators and boats to help regions like Chennai, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai from possible flooding.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the affected areas, while fishermen have been advised to stay on land. More than 4,100 fishing boats have returned to port to avoid the storm.

In addition, construction companies have been ordered to secure equipment to prevent accidents caused by high winds, including lowering cranes and reinforcing or removing billboards.

Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with additional rainfall expected in the interior areas through December 3.

Cyclone Fengal, which became a cyclonic storm on November 29, is expected to hit land between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, around noon. The storm is expected to have steady winds of 70-80 km/h and gusts up to 90 km/h.