Tamil Nadu, Kerala on Red Alert With Cyclone ‘Fengal’ Set for Landfall Near Puducherry–Sriharikota
Bay of Bengal depression rapidly intensifies into cyclonic threat,
The India Meteorological Department has placed southern India on high alert after a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal strengthened significantly on Saturday evening and is projected to evolve into a full cyclonic storm, possibly named “Fengal,” by Monday morning, with landfall anticipated between Puducherry and Sriharikota around December 1. Positioned roughly 700 km south-southeast of Chennai, the system is drawing abundant moisture from unusually warm sea waters, setting the stage for widespread devastation across Tamil Nadu’s northern coast, adjoining Kerala districts, and south interior Karnataka.
IMD forecasts predict extremely heavy rainfall surpassing 20 cm in several pockets, accompanied by gale-force winds of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph along the coastline from November 29 to December 2. Districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai have been issued red and orange alerts, prompting authorities to suspend fishing activities completely and warn coastal communities of dangerous sea conditions and potential storm surge.
In Kerala, the cyclone’s peripheral rain bands will begin lashing southern and central regions from Sunday night, with Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts likely to receive heavy to very heavy showers. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has activated round-the-clock control rooms, pre-positioned relief supplies, and alerted hill districts for possible landslides while preparing urban areas for flash flooding.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has convened emergency review meetings and ordered district administrations to achieve zero casualties through proactive evacuations, uninterrupted power restoration, and immediate relief distribution. Multiple NDRF and SDRF teams have already reached vulnerable zones, and low-lying hamlets are being shifted to safer shelters.
With meteorological models unanimously pointing toward a direct coastal strike, both states have advised citizens to remain indoors during peak impact hours, avoid travel, stock essential supplies, and strictly adhere to official directives, as the approaching cyclone threatens one of the heaviest rainfall episodes in recent years for the region.
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