Cyclone Fengal : Deep depression in Southwest Bay of Bengal to intensify into cyclonic storm by November 29
The India Meteorological Department has stated that a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a cyclone by Wednesday and move towards Tamil Nadu, passing near the Sri Lankan coast over the next two days.
As per RMC Chennai, orange alert for very heavy rains is likley to occur at isolated places over Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts and Puducherry. The weather department has also issued yellow alert for heavy rains over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal area.
Apart from this, the Indian Coast Guard stated that its ships, aircraft and radar stations issued advisories for fishing boats to return to the harbour.
In an update issued around noon on Tuesday, the department reported that as of 8:30 am, the depression was located approximately 310 km southeast of Trincomalee, 710 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 800 km south-southeast of Chennai.
“It is very likely to continue moving north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm on November 27. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards towards the Tamil Nadu coast, skirting the Sri Lanka coast during the subsequent two days,” the IMD said.
Heavy rains continued overnight in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta region, causing damage to standing paddy crops. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai districts, which are also part of the delta area.
The rains submerged crops in several areas, including Tiruvarur, Thiruthuraipoondi, Muthupettai, Mayiladuthurai, and Vedaranyam, with farmers estimating that crops over at least 2,000 acres were affected.
Due to the rainfall, November 27 has been declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai districts. A holiday has also been announced for schools in Chennai, Chengelpet, Ariyalur, and Kanchipuram.
