Cyclone Fengal: Heavy rains to persist in north Tamil Nadu coastal regions

The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC in Chennai the intense rain spell caused by Cyclone Fengal is predicted to continue across Tamil Nadus north coastal districts on Saturday ANI reportedAccording to the states weather department isolated heavy to very heavy rain with exceptionally heavy rain is likely today in a few places in Chennai Tiruvallur Chengalpattu Kancheepuram Villuppuram Kallakurichi Cuddalore and PuducherryHeavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Ranipet Tiruvannamalai Vellore Perambalur Ariyalur Thanjavur Tiruvarur Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal area Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tirupattur Krishnagiri Dharmapuri Salem Namakkal Tiruchirappalli Pudukkottai and Karur districts Tamil Nadu IMD said in a release ANI reportedAccording to IMD earlier Cyclone Fengal over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved westnortwestwards and is expected to cross north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts later in the dayThe Cyclonic Storm FENGAL pronounced as FEINJAL over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved westnorthwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today the 30th November 2024 over the same region near latitude 122degN and longitude 812degE about 150 km east of Puducherry 140 km southeast of Chennai 210 km northeast of Nagappattinam and 400 km north of Trincomalee RMC saidIt is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Tamil NaduPuducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 7080 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during evening of November 30 the weather department added ANI citedThe IMD stated that Cyclone Fengal is being regularly watched by the weather department using Doppler weather radars in Chennai S band Sriharikota and Chennai X band as well as satellite data ANI reportedAccording to the IMD the cyclone would hit the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu on Saturday evening and a red alert was issued yesterday for several sections of southern states including the coasts of south Andhra PradeshBecause of Cyclone Fengals impact several coastal locations saw changes in weather including gusty winds and rains From Friday night until Saturday morning Chennai had continuous heavy to moderate rains resulting in adverse sea conditions and strong windsAs per ANI the government urged the people not to visit the metropolis beaches which include Marina Beach Pattinapakkam and Edward Elliot Beach Tourist attractions in Puducherry have been closed as a precaution due to the impending cyclone FengalA team headed by SSP Kalaivanan went and assessed the coastal areas beaches earlier in the dayPuducherry Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Kalaivanan stated that security has been increased on coastal routes and surrounding regions in PuducherryDue to Cyclone Fanjal the sea waves in Puducherry are seen to be rough In addition barricades have been erected to prevent the public from going there and coastal roads have been closed More than 300 police personnel are also involved in security work SSP said to ANIAccording to the IMD Puducherry received modest rain this morning but the sea was rougher than usualSSP Kalaivanan stated that the government and police are prepared to meet Cyclone Fengal and that the public is not permitted to visit the coastal areaSince last night Tamil Nadus Ranipet district and adjacent areas have received moderate rainfall Cold winds have been blowing around Ranipet district since yesterday morning Walajapet and its neighboring areas in Ranipet district have received constant mild rainfall since last night ANI reportedFollowing the IMDs warnings about severe rains a holiday has been proclaimed for nine districtsEarlier the Kanchipuram district administration declared a Saturday holiday in schools and colleges On November 30 this order was issued for all educational establishments in the district both public and privateIndia Meteorological Department IMD has advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea due to the high waves and turbulent conditions ANI reportedMultiple flights on Friday going to and from Chennai were affected due to the weather in the regionWith inputs from ANI