On Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the depression, which is the remnant of Cyclonic Storm Fengal over northern coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, moved west-northwestward at a speed of 7 km/h over the last six hours and was located at 11:30 pm on December 1.
The remnant of Cyclonic Storm Fengal, now a depression, moved west-northwestward at 7 km/h over the past six hours across north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. As of 23:30 IST on December 1, 2024, it was located near latitude 12.2°N and longitude 79.2°E, approximately 40 km northwest of Villupuram, 70 km west-northwest of Puducherry, around 80 km northwest of Cuddalore, and 140 km southwest of Chennai, according to the IMD's post on X.
It is expected to keep moving west-northwestward and gradually diminish into a well-defined low-pressure area over northern interior Tamil Nadu within the next six hours. The remaining low-pressure area is anticipated to appear over the southeast and nearby east-central Arabian Sea off the north Kerala-Karnataka coasts around December 3, 2024. The system is under constant observation by the Doppler Weather Radar in Karaikal, according to the IMD.
Discussing the cyclone situation in Puducherry, Lieutenant Governor Kailashnathan mentioned, 'Puducherry has experienced one of the heaviest rainfalls. In the past 24 hours, we have recorded 48.6 cm of rain. The drainage system cannot handle such a large volume of water in a single day. Electric substations have been flooded, necessitating the shutdown of the power supply. Numerous trees have fallen, many on electric lines, which need to be repaired. All substations will be re-energized by tonight.'
Meanwhile, due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal, a holiday has been declared for Monday in all government and government-aided schools, private schools, and colleges in Puducherry, said the Union Territory's Education Minister A. Namachivayam on Sunday. A holiday has also been declared in schools and colleges in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Vellore, and Ranipet districts of Tamil Nadu.
The announcement was made by the respective local administrations due to the bad weather conditions caused by Cyclone Fengal.
Heavy rainfall has been recorded in several parts of Tamil Nadu since Saturday morning. Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall on the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday, November 30, has caused widespread flooding in several areas, particularly in Cuddalore.