Cyclone Fengal Updates: Chennai Airport Shut, Flights Suspended, Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Fengal has disrupted air travel and caused widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as it prepares to make landfall. Here’s a detailed update on the situation:

Air Travel Disruption: Chennai Airport Suspends Operations

1. Chennai Airport Impact:
   • Flight operations at Chennai Airport have been severely affected.
   • IndiGo has suspended all arrivals and departures until weather conditions improve.
   • A flight from Abu Dhabi to Chennai (IndiGo 6E1412) was diverted to Bengaluru due to heavy rain and strong winds.
2. Airlines Issue Advisories:
   • IndiGo: Flights across Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam are affected.
   • Air India: Warned passengers to anticipate delays and rescheduling.
3. Passenger Advisory:
   Travelers are urged to check flight status with airlines before heading to airports to avoid inconvenience.

#TravelAdvisory

Flights to and from Chennai are getting affected due to inclement weather and heavy rains.

Please check your flight status before heading to the airport by clicking here:https://t.co/pm9cqcwfTc

— Air India (@airindia) November 30, 2024

Weather Update: Cyclone Fengal’s Trajectory and Rainfall Forecast

1. Landfall Details:
   • Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall near north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts tonight.
2. Heavy Rainfall Alert:
   • IMD Forecast:
     • North coastal districts like Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villuppuram, and Kancheepuram face extremely heavy rainfall.
     • Interior districts such as Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem may also see heavy rain.
   • Doppler radars and satellite observations are monitoring the storm’s progress.

The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0830 hours IST of today, the 30th November 2024 over the same region near latitude 12.3°N and longitude 80.9°E, about 120 km… pic.twitter.com/d14QykOI75

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 30, 2024

Government Response and Safety Measures

1. State Preparedness:
   • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed relief arrangements, including camps for affected residents.
   • Continuous monitoring is underway, with no major incidents reported so far.
2. Regional Precautions:
   • Relief camps have been set up, and emergency teams are on standby.
   • The government is urging residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

#UPDATE | Passengers be informed that flights to and from the following destinations have been cancelled. We recommend passengers check with their respective airlines for real-time updates.#ChennaiAirport #TravelAdvisory #PassengerAdvisory #ChennaiRains #CycloneFengal #Chennai… pic.twitter.com/UyIUWDI7XT

— Chennai (MAA) Airport (@aaichnairport) November 30, 2024

Impact and Precautionary Measures

• Public Impact: Schools and offices remain closed in many districts due to heavy rain warnings.
• Safety Tips:
  • Avoid venturing into flooded areas.
  • Keep emergency contacts and supplies handy.
  • Follow updates from local authorities and the IMD.