The intermittent rainfall in the coastal regions that began on the night of November 29, got steady on Saturday morning leading to water-logging in several areas in the region.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Continuous rains cause waterlogging in several parts of Chennai city.
(Visuals from Old Mahabalipuram Road)#CycloneFengal pic.twitter.com/tK5kz1s3Gt— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Continuous rains cause waterlogging in several parts of Chennai city. #CycloneFengal pic.twitter.com/yMHlzgdUoY
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
In the low-lying areas, especially Madipakkam, people have parked their vehicles on both sides of the Velachery flyover fearing flash floods.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: People have parked their cars up on the Velachery flyover fearing flash floods in low-lying areas of Velachery.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall close to Puducherry, along the Tamil… pic.twitter.com/tDdyMUL9Lh— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore districts of Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.
Heavy to very heavy rain and isolated extremely heavy rain is expected at isolated places over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal area, NDTV reported.
Roads in some of the vulnerable areas were largely deserted, while civic workers, police as well as fire and rescue personnel were deployed in all these places, PTI reported.
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: Mamallapuram in Chengalpattu district witnesses heavy rainfall and gusty winds ahead of Cyclone Fengal landfall.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#cyclonefenjal #Cyclone #CycloneFengal pic.twitter.com/JQX54rbZPP— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the Disaster Management Control Room in Chennai to review all the preparedness for Cyclone Fengal.
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (@mkstalin) visits the Disaster Management Control Room in Chennai to check preparedness in view of Cyclone Fengal.#CycloneFengal #CycloneAlert
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/FQEcCIwgga— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
The Tamil Nadu government has already announced that educational institutions in several districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, will remain closed. The IT firms have been urged to make their employees work from home.
Amid heavy rainfall, the Chennai airport shut till 7 pm due to higher crosswinds forecast by the Met department. Southern Railway has informed that fewer suburban trains will run during this time. The Chennai Metro Rail confirmed that its services were operational.
The state-run transport corporations operated skeleton services in Chennai and nearby areas. The state-run Aavin milk supply remained unaffected and even power supply was normal in most of the affected areas.
As the sea was pretty rough, police in low-lying areas have put up barricades and blocked access to noted beaches including the Marina and Mamallapuram.
#WATCH | Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu: Rough sea and gusty wind witnessed due to the impact of cyclone Fengal; visuals from Devanampattinam Beach
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall close to Puducherry, along the Tamil… pic.twitter.com/WK2em7n0dk— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Marina Beach in Chennai wears a deserted look as all activities at the beach have been suspended in the wake of cyclone Fengal
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall close to Puducherry, along… pic.twitter.com/h7tGPWS37s— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
According to The Hindu, Chennai alone recorded a cumulative rainfall of 622.95 mm between October 1 and November 30 (till 9 am). It saw an average rainfall of 12.62 mm between 7 am to 9 am on Saturday.
Nungambakkam received the highest rainfall (25.50 mm), while the lowest was recorded in Madhavaram, at 0.90 mm.
The Greater Chennai Corporation reported that more than 300 relief camps have been readied and waterlogging issues in multiple areas are being addressed.
Meanwhile, the administration in Puducherry sent SMS alerts to nearly 12 lakh residents and cautioned them to remain vigilant as cyclonic storm Fengal is expected to make landfall later in the day.
We have evacuated people from low-lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets,” District Collector A Kulothungan said.
