Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 29 : As the Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall tomorrow evening, the Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre of Chennai, Dr S Balachandran, said on Friday that the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu will be impacted more.
Speaking to ANI, Dr S Balachandran said, "...Mostly coastal districts, the crossing point is between Karaikal to Mahabalipuram near Puducherry, so, all along the coastal districts, the impact will be more. There will be wind and rainfall. Today the wind speed was 50-60 kmph and gusting to 70 kmph... At one to two, there will be extremely heavy rainfall, while at many places it will be scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall."
Meanwhile, Director of Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre in Andhra Pradesh, Srinuvas said that they have issued a warning of 'extremely heavy rainfall' for the districts of Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor for the next 24 hours.
"...It is likely to move in the northwest direction and intensify into a cyclonic storm. In the next six hours, it is likely to move in the northwest direction towards and cross North Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry coast...Cyclone alert has been issued for the adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu...We have given an extremely heavy rainfall warning for the districts of Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor for the next 24 hours..." Srinuvas said.
Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall on the coast of Tamil Nadu Saturday evening and a red alert has been issued for various parts of the southern states in view of incessant rainfall, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday.
As of Saturday's evening, the cyclone was 300-350 km away from the coastline of Tamil Nadu, as per IMD Head of Cyclonic Division, Ananda Das.
Das said that a red alert has been issued in view of heavy to extremely heavy rainfalls in several parts of Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and interior Karnataka.
He further said that the coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy rainfall, adding that on November 30, there will be heavy rainfall in the interior area of Tamil Nadu.
"As far as the impact of the cyclone is concerned, slight rainfall has started. It is still 300-350 km away from the coastline of Tamil Nadu. The landfall is tomorrow evening on the coast of Tamil Nadu. During landfall, the speed of wind would be 70-80 kmph gusting to 90kmph. As per the latest observation, it has turned into a cyclonic storm. It will intensify slightly more and then make landfall. Coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall," Das said.
"On November 30, there will be heavy rainfall in the interior area of Tamil Nadu... From Tamil Nadu to Kerala and interior Karnataka, heavy rainfall is expected till December 1. A red alert has been issued in view of heavy rainfall," he added.
Meanwhile, the Puducherry Fisheries Department has issued an advisory for the fishermen and advised them not to venture into the sea as Cyclone Fengal is to make landfall tomorrow evening.
Additionally, the advisory said fishermen to immediately move their fishing boats and equipment to higher grounds to avoid damage.
Cyclone Fengal is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding to Tamil Nadu's coastal regions. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories.