Tamil Nadu has taken urgent safety measures to prevent Cyclone Fengal getting worse as it intensifies over the Bay of Bengal. Wind speeds of up to 90 kmph and heavy rainfall are likely next, and schools and colleges in several districts have been closed, public transport suspended, and IT companies advised to go in for work from home policies.
On November 30, schools in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu will remain closed. By midday, the cyclone is anticipated to landfall on Puducherry, with maximum wind speeds of 70 to 80 kmph with wind gusts of up to 90 kmph.
Workplace Adjustments and Public Transport.
During the storm’s peak, the public transport has been suspended on main routes like East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road, according to chief facilitator Shrikrishna Thol. It urged IT companies to allow employees to work from home to minimize risk of commuting.
Relief and Rescue Efforts
As of Monday, 471 people are living in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam from 164 families, who have joined 2,229 relief camps set up by the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Essential equipment like motor pumps, generators, boats are being mobilized by local authorities for flooding in the areas of Chennai, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai, if the situation demands.
NDRF and SDRF have been sent to assist the affected areas. Around 4,100 fishing boats have been safely docked.
Precautions and Forecast
Strong winds have been flagged, construction companies are being directed to secure equipment, lower cranes, and to remove billboards. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and interior parts of these states could get rain till December 3.
Cyclone Fengal, forming November 29, is expected to landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, bringing concrete challenges to the region.
