The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has strengthened into Cyclone Fengal (pronounced ‘Feinjal’), and is expected to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram by mid-Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The cyclone is forecast to bring winds of 70-80 km per hour, with gusts reaching up to 90 km/h. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the Bay of Bengal until further notice.

A red alert has been issued for several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore, as well as for Puducherry. An orange alert is in place for Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: IMD has issued a warning to fishermen not to venture out into the sea as the Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the evening of 28th November to morning of 29th November

(Drone visuals from… pic.twitter.com/qWRfjFRQWl

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— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2024

As Fengal moves inland after Sunday, interior districts are also expected to experience heavy rainfall. The effects of Cyclone Fengal are already being felt in Tamil Nadu. Chennai is witnessing high tides and gusty winds, while heavy rainfall on Thursday caused significant damage to paddy crops across 800 acres in Nagapattinam district. Due to the risk of heavy rain, schools and colleges in Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Cuddalore were closed today as a precautionary measure.

“The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwest at 13 kph in the past six hours (and has) intensified into Cyclonic Storm Fengal… at 2.30 pm (on November 29) it lay 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km southeast of Chennai,” the IMD said.

“It is likely to move west-northwest and cross north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram (but closer to Puducherry) as a Cyclonic Storm. 

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