Cyclone Fengal approaches Tamil Nadu, heavy rain likely; schools, colleges shut

Cyclone Fengal: The weather department predicted that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal would turn into a cyclonic storm on November 27 and is expected to impact parts of Tamil Nadu.

In Short

• Schools, colleges closed in Tamil Nadu's six districts
• Extremely heavy rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra
• MK Stalin calls meeting with officials, NDRF teams rushed to Tamil Nadu

A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclone by Wednesday, bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Due to the alert, a holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu's Trichy, Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Thiruvallur districts due to rain.

Currently, located approximately 670 km off the coast of Chennai, the deep depression is moving toward Tamil Nadu and is likely to develop into Cyclone Fengal, the IMD stated. The eastern coast states are predicted to experience "heavy to extremely heavy" rainfall due to the approaching cyclone.

In an early morning update on Wednesday, the weather department said the deep depression was centred about 190 km southeast of Trincomalee, 580 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 670 km south-southeast of Chennai.

"It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm on 27th November. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards towards the Tamil Nadu coast, skirting Sri Lanka coast during the subsequent 2 days {sic}," the IMD said in its update on X.

Apart from extremely heavy rain, strong winds, ranging between 45-55 km/h with gusts up to 65 km/h, are likely along the eastern coast of the country. Additionally, rough seas may lead to flooding in low-lying areas and disrupt marine activities, the IMD said.

In view of that cyclonic storm warning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin convened a high-level meeting with the District Magistrates of Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Cuddalore and gave necessary directions for the rescue of people to safe places.

"As a heavy rain warning has been issued, I have held a review meeting with the District Collectors of Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Cuddalore to be ready and to instruct the Ministers to work from the field. The government is ready to face the rain. I request the public to be safe while going out," Stalin tweeted.

In addition to the state forces, two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were dispatched to Tamil Nadu. In total, 17 teams have been deployed and it includes Chennai, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore and Thanjavur districts.

Meanwhile, moderate rain lashed many parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and the nearby districts of Chengelpet, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur, the northern coastal city of Cuddalore and Cauvery delta areas, including Nagapattinam among other places.