Cyclone Fengal in Tamilnadu, Flight Disruption in Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem: As a deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards Tamil Nadu, IndiGo Airlines informed its passengers that flight services will continue to be impacted to and from Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem.
In an advisory posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (November 28) morning, the airline stated,
#6ETravelAdvisory: We were hoping for clearer skies, but the weather situation continues to persist, impacting flights to/from #Chennai, #Tuticorin, #Madurai, #Tiruchirappalli & #Salem.
It further advised passengers to stay updated on their flight status. “Stay updated on your flight status via https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj. It’s always better to be prepared to ensure smooth travels,” it added.
Deep depression likely to become cyclone in next 12 hours
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has also provided updates on the storm’s progress. As of 5:30 PM IST on November 27, 2024, the deep depression was centered about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee, 320 km southeast of Nagapattinam, 420 km southeast of Puducherry, and 500 km south-southeast of Chennai.
The system is expected to continue moving north-northwestward, skirting the Sri Lankan coast, and intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours. It will then approach the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression by the morning of November 30.
“It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards skirting the Sri Lanka coast and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards and reach near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression around the morning of 30th November,” the IMD added.
ICG steps up efforts to safeguard seafarers
Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has started coordinating with Tamil Nadu state agencies to ensure the safety of seafarers. The ICG issued a warning as the deep depression is forecast to strengthen into a cyclone and approach the state. Ships, aircraft, and radar stations have been instructed to issue advisories for fishing boats to return to the harbour.
“Deep Depression in the #BayofBengal likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards #Tamilnadu, as per #IMD. @IndiaCoastGuard Region HQs (East) is coordinating with state agencies to ensure seafarers’ safety. #ICG Ships, Aircraft & Radar Stations issuing advisories for fishing boats to return to harbour,” the ICG said in a post on X on Wednesday.