Cyclone Fengal Brings High Tides and Rain to Tamil Nadu Coast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Cyclone Fengal's approach towards the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu has led to weather changes in many coastal regions, including high tides and rainfall.
The IMD predicts that Cyclone Fengal will hit the coastal area tomorrow evening. The weather department has issued warnings for North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the adjacent south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
According to the IMD, the cyclonic storm Fengal in the southwest Bay of Bengal has been traveling north-northwest at a speed of 7 km/h over the last six hours. As of 11:30 PM IST on November 29, it was positioned in the same area around latitude 11.8°N and longitude 81.7°E, roughly 360 km north of Trincomalee, 230 km east-northeast of Nagapattinam, 210 km east of Puducherry, and 210 km southeast of Chennai.
The cyclone is expected to proceed west-northwestward and make landfall on the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h, on the afternoon of November 30.
Dr. S. Balachandran, the Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, stated on Friday that the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu would be significantly impacted as Cyclone Fengal is anticipated to make landfall on Saturday evening.
Dr. Balachandran told ANI that coastal areas, especially those between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, will be greatly impacted. Strong winds and rain are anticipated. Today, wind speeds have hit 50-60 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 70 km/h. Between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, very heavy rainfall is expected, and numerous regions will see scattered heavy to very heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Srinuvas, the Director of the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre in Andhra Pradesh, stated that a warning for 'extremely heavy rainfall' has been issued for the districts of Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor for the next 24 hours.
He mentioned, '...The cyclone is anticipated to shift northwest and strengthen into a cyclonic storm. Within the next six hours, it is projected to move northwestward and make landfall along the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast. Cyclone alerts have been issued for the neighboring districts of Tamil Nadu. An extremely heavy rainfall warning has been issued for the districts of Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor for the next 24 hours.'
The IMD announced on Friday that Cyclone Fengal is forecasted to hit the Tamil Nadu coast on Saturday evening, prompting a red alert for several areas in the southern states due to expected continuous rainfall.
At the same time, the Fisheries Department in Puducherry has warned fishermen to remain on land due to the approaching Cyclone Fengal. The advisory also directed fishermen to relocate their boats and equipment to higher ground to avoid damage.
Cyclone Fengal is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flooding to the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions.