Cyclone Fengal has started hitting the Puducherry coast and Tamil Nadu. According to the IMD, the cyclone can cross the coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next three to four hours. Winds are blowing at a speed of 70-80 kmph. Meanwhile, heavy rains continue in most parts of Tamil Nadu.

Due to bad weather, Chennai International Airport has been temporarily closed till 7 pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, Indigo Airlines has diverted all flights coming to Chennai. Due to heavy rains, holiday has been declared in schools in nine districts of Tamil Nadu. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.

Increased security on beaches

The administration has also beefed up security along the Puducherry coast. Puducherry Senior Superintendent of Police Kalaivanan visited beaches and coastal roads in the area. In Tamil Nadu, people have been advised not to visit beaches including Marina Beach, Pattinapakkam and Edward Elliot Beach in Chennai.

Tourist places in Puducherry have been closed as a precautionary measure due to cyclone Fengal. 300 police personnel have been deployed in the coastal areas of Puducherry. According to IMD, moderate rain occurred in Puducherry on Saturday morning. Heavy rain and strong winds continue in Marakkanam of Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu. Trees have been uprooted in Besant Nagar area of ​​Chennai.

Roads inundated in Chennai

Roads are submerged due to heavy rains in Chennai. People are facing waterlogging in many areas. There is ankle-deep waterlogging in New Washermanpet, Gemini Flyover and Mount Road areas. The weather has changed due to rain and strong winds in coastal areas due to the storm. Heavy to moderate rains were recorded continuously in Chennai from Friday night to this morning. 

Red alert issued in many areas

The IMD said that the Meteorological Department is continuously monitoring cyclone Fengal through satellite observations in addition to Chennai, Sriharikota and Chennai's Doppler weather radars. According to the IMD, the cyclone will hit the coastal areas of northern Tamil Nadu this evening and a red alert has been issued in various parts of southern states including the coast of southern Andhra Pradesh.