Cyclonic storm Fengal has commenced making landfall close to Puducherry and it may approximately take four hours for it to cross the coast completely, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said here on Saturday. Citing data and observations, IMD-Regional Meteorological Centre, Additional Director General, S Balachandran told PTI that the process of the cyclone’s landfall commenced at about 5.30 pm on November 30.
On the area of landfall, he said it was close to ‘Puducherry area’ and that it may take approximately four hours for the completion of the landfall process and added that more related information would be made available later.
Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday, prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant as cyclonic storm Fengal is expected to make landfall near here later in the day.
Chief Minister N Rangasamy visited the rain-affected areas today to review the steps taken by the Disaster Management department, especially in accommodating those evacuated from low-lying areas into relief centres. The CM instructed officials to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the residents.
District Collector A Kulothungan briefed the chief minister about the distribution of food packets to those staying in the shelter homes. Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe. “We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets,” he said, adding that the National Disaster Relief Force from Arakonam had arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation work.
According to the official, cyclone Fengal was expected to cross the coast later in the day. Control rooms have been opened in the collectorate and also in the line departments. Toll free numbers 112, 1077 and also WhatsApp number 94889 81070 have been put in place to help people facing crisis to contact for help. Cyclone Fengal is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram coasts close to Puducherry, official sources said. The government has advised people to stay indoors.
The entire stretch of beach road and also several tourist spots were closed to ensure that there was no movement of people near the sea shore.Schools and colleges remained closed. Daily wage earners, roadside vegetable vendors, and labourers were among those most affected by the heavy downpours caused by Cyclone Fengal, which is intensifying over the Bay of Bengal.
In response, under the Disaster Management Act 2005, all theatres were instructed to suspend evening and night shows to safeguard public safety and maintain law and order. Several shop owners in various areas shortened their business hours due to the heavy rains that began in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Chennai airport on Friday announced suspension of operations till 4 am on December 1 following heavy inundation of runways and the taxiway, due to the cyclone ‘Fengal’ triggered rains and the ‘adverse weather condition,’ with over 50 flights being cancelled and scores of passengers left in the lurch.
Official sources here said the two runways and the taxiway were inundated and as many as 55 flights were cancelled and 19 others diverted, adding, the services include both domestic and international operations. Earlier in the day, when the airport was operational, at least 12 flights were delayed. The Chennai airport in a post on ‘X’ said that a team of senior officials was closely monitoring the situation to facilitate the earliest resumption of operations as meteorological conditions improve.
“A WebEx meeting was conducted on 30th November 2024 at 1630 hrs, involving all stakeholders and officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). During the meeting, IMD provided updates indicating that the landfall is expected around 2030 hrs, with prevailing weather conditions likely to persist until 2330 hrs. Following consultations with AAI Headquarters and considering feedback from stakeholders, it has been decided to extend the closure of operations through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) until 0400 IST on 1st December 2024. We recommend passengers check with their respective airlines regarding their flights,” it said in a post on ‘X’.
The complete disruption of services left the passengers in a lurch and according to ballpark estimates from official sources, over 10,000 people could have been affected due to cancellations and diversions. While the services were hit, nearly 1,000 passengers continued to stay back inside the airport premises to take the first available flight from here to their respective destinations.
As many as 20 flights were cancelled in Hyderabad as well which were services to and from Chennai and Tirupati. Initially, expecting an earlier landfall of the cyclone, airport authorities had declared suspension of operations till 7 pm starting from 12.30 pm. The cyclonic storm is expected to make a landfall tonight, close to Puducherry. Chennai airport said IndiGo Airlines temporarily suspended flight operations, which will resume once the weather improves.
