Chennai and its surrounding regions, including Puducherry, faced steady rains and gusty winds as Cyclone Fengal made landfall, disrupting public transport and forcing authorities to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas. Public transport, including buses, trains, and flights, has been heavily impacted.
Flash Flood Warnings Issued
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued flash flood warnings for the next 24 hours across several districts in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Karnataka. Key areas at risk include:
- Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam: Prakasam and Nellore
- Rayalaseema: Chittoor and Kadapa
- South Interior Karnataka: Chamarajanagar, Kolar, and Ramanagara
- Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: Chennai, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Salem, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram, Erode, Dharampuri, Ariyalur, Namakkal, Perambalur, Krishnagiri, Tiruchirappalli, and Vellore districts.
Heavy rains are expected to cause surface runoff, flooding low-lying areas, and exacerbating waterlogging in regions with saturated soil.
Disruptions and Damages
Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran reported no major damages but stated that a clearer assessment would emerge by Sunday.
- Hospitals Flooded: Rainwater inundated two state-run hospitals in Chromepet, Chennai, hampering operations. Sandbags were deployed at entry points to manage water flow, while authorities worked on mitigation measures.
- Airport Operations Halted: Chennai airport suspended operations until 4 a.m. on Sunday after heavy rains caused flooding on two runways and a taxiway.
- Public Transport Affected: Roads, trains, and buses were disrupted due to waterlogging and strong winds.