Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed northern Tamil Nadu on Saturday, disrupting normal life as Cyclone Fengal advanced towards the coast. The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall near Puducherry later in the day, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the preparedness at the State Emergency Operations Centre alongside top officials. Speaking to reporters, he assured that precautionary measures were in place, including setting up relief camps for residents of vulnerable areas where food distribution is ongoing. Stalin also inspected a pumping station as part of relief efforts.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed 22,000 personnel, including engineers, officials, and sanitary workers, to manage the crisis. A total of 1,686 motor pumps, including high-capacity pumps of up to 100 horsepower, have been deployed to drain water from waterlogged areas.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Severe waterlogging witnessed in parts of Chennai; visuals from Arumbakkam road.#CycloneFengal pic.twitter.com/yTq8hdRU0Q
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain and gusty winds witnessed in Marakanam. #CycloneFengal pic.twitter.com/zwnGKHEXY7
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain and gusty winds witnessed in Marakanam, Viluppuram.
As per IMD, #CycloneFengal to cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90… pic.twitter.com/gXZ4rEWaX9
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Visuals from Chennai Airport where the operations are temporarily shut down till 7 pm today as heavy rainfall and strong winds intensified ahead of Cyclone Fengal’s expected landfall: Airport authorities#CycloneFengal pic.twitter.com/YDjayxL7Xi
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
VIDEO | Cyclone Fengal: Police puts barricades in Tharangambadi Beach, Tamil Nadu to restrict people’s entry amid cyclone warning.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/xhbFN3WjqV
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
As of Saturday morning, GCC workers had cleared 5 out of 9 fallen trees and were addressing water stagnation at 134 locations. Traffic remains smooth in 21 of the 22 subways, with the Ganesapuram subway already closed for ongoing railway bridge work.
Reservoirs supplying drinking water to Chennai, such as Chembarambakkam and Poondi, recorded significant inflow due to the rains. In low-lying areas like Madipakkam, residents parked vehicles on higher ground, including both sides of the Velachery flyover, to prevent damage from flooding.