Cyclone Fengal: Chennai Airport Suspends Operations Amid Heavy Rainfall
Chennai International Airport has temporarily suspended operations due to heavy rainfall as Cyclone Fengal approaches landfall. IndiGo Airlines announced that no flights would arrive or depart until 1 PM on Saturday.
An IndiGo source confirmed that the suspension was due to adverse weather conditions. A flight from Abu Dhabi scheduled to land at 8:10 AM was diverted to Bengaluru, and an Air India Express flight to Singapore was canceled due to technical issues. Additionally, SriLankan Airlines canceled its Chennai-Colombo flight, which was set to depart at 9:40 AM.
Passengers at Terminal 2 are being accommodated in nearby hotels temporarily. The region is experiencing intense rainfall, with Cyclone Fengal expected to make landfall on Saturday evening between Karaikal and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram).
As of now, the cyclone is located 150 km east of Puducherry, 140 km southeast of Chennai, 210 km northeast of Nagapattinam, and 400 km north of Trincomalee. The storm is anticipated to move westward, making landfall near Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with winds reaching speeds of 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h, according to the weather department.
Meanwhile, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has reported water stagnation in 12 subways throughout the city. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) has advised the public to avoid beaches, amusement parks, and recreational events. Parks and beaches in Chennai and surrounding districts will remain closed for the day.
Mayor R. Priya assured the public that the civic body is fully prepared to manage the cyclone and the heavy rains. The GCC has deployed 28,000 workers for rain relief operations and assigned 10 additional workers to each of the 200 wards to handle rain-related complaints, assist with food distribution, and carry out rescue operations. Volunteers have been mobilized for communication, and 36 boats are on standby for emergencies.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chennai and surrounding districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. The Delta districts of Tamil Nadu, including Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, continue to experience heavy rains. District authorities have urged the public to avoid entering water bodies and to keep children away from waterlogged areas.
Flooding has been reported in low-lying areas such as Sebastian Nagar and Sivasakthi Nagar in Velankanni, as well as Valliammai Nagar and Gomathi Nagar in Nagore. A 24-hour control room with a toll-free helpline (04365-1077) has been established to handle rain-related emergencies.
Coastal and Marine Precautions: Coastal areas are experiencing rough seas, with sea waves in Cuddalore rising over 10 feet, compared to the usual two feet. Areas such as Thazhanguda, Devanampattinam, Singarathoppu, and Sothikuppam have been affected. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore, and all mechanized boats are docked. The Cuddalore Port has raised Cyclone Warning Signal Number 3 due to strong winds and heavy rains.
Emergency Preparedness: In Cuddalore district, 270 personnel, including swimmers, have been deployed across 16 fire stations. Rescue teams are equipped with boats, safety gear, ropes, wood-cutting machines, and generator-powered lights for emergencies. The district administration has set up 28 cyclone shelters, 14 multi-purpose safety centers, and 191 temporary relief camps. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) are on standby, with 30 and 25 personnel, respectively. Various government departments have been instructed to implement precautionary measures.
