Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 30 (ANI): Cyclone Fengal, expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu this evening, has disrupted multiple flights to and from Chennai due to heavy rains and adverse weather conditions.

Airlines have issued travel advisories, cautioning passengers about potential delays and cancellations. ‘Flights to and from Chennai are getting affected due to inclement weather and heavy rains,’ Air India posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has forecast intense rainfall for the north coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy downpours, is predicted in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts, and Puducherry.

‘Heavy to very heavy rain is also likely at isolated places over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts, and Karaikal area. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, and Karur districts,’ stated the Tamil Nadu IMD.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fengal over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwestwards and is set to cross the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, close to Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, during the evening of November 30.

The IMD is monitoring Fengal closely using Doppler weather radars in Chennai and Sriharikota, as well as satellite observations.

(ANI)