A deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal has remained nearly stationary, located about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee, and is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai said on Thursday (November 28).
The system is forecast to move north-northwestward, skirting the Sri Lankan coast, and further intensify into a cyclonic storm. It is expected to cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, by the morning of November 30.
“To cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram around the morning of November 30, as a deep depression with a wind speed of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph,” it said.
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry preparing for very heavy rainfall
In anticipation of Cyclone Fengal’s landfall, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are preparing for very heavy rainfall. Local authorities have issued warnings for potential disruptions.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has conducted a survey of vulnerable and low-lying areas in T.R. Patinam and Karaikal, in coordination with local officials. The focus has been on risk assessment and implementing safety measures to safeguard the public ahead of the cyclone’s arrival, the NDRF reported.
Schools closed in 9 districts
Schools in nine districts of Tamil Nadu—Villupuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, and Trichy—will remain closed today. However, there is no official update regarding school closures in Chennai, and it is expected that schools there will remain open.
On November 27, schools and colleges were closed in the districts of Chennai, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur, and Villupuram.