Chennai Airport Temporarily Shut Amid Cyclone Fengal's Landfall Today, Train Services Hit

The Chennai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations due to heavy rainfall as Cyclone Fengal nears landfall.

IndiGo Airlines announced that no arrivals or departures would take place until 1 PM on Saturday. A source from IndiGo informed IANS that operations were paused due to "adverse weather conditions."

Photo Credit: PTI

An IndiGo flight from Abu Dhabi, scheduled to land at 8:10 AM, was diverted to Bengaluru, while an Air India Express flight to Singapore was cancelled due to technical issues.

A Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Chennai to Colombo, set to depart at 9:40 AM, was also cancelled. Passengers at Terminal 2 have been temporarily accommodated in nearby hotels.

Besides, local train services have also been severely hit in Chennai.

Heavy Rainfall Across Chennai and Surrounding Areas

Chennai and its neighbouring regions are experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall due to the effects of Cyclone Fengal. The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Saturday evening between Karaikal and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram).

According to meteorological reports, Cyclone Fengal is currently located 150 km east of Puducherry, 140 km southeast of Chennai, 210 km northeast of Nagapattinam, and 400 km north of Trincomalee. It is forecast to move westward and cross the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast near Puducherry as a cyclonic storm, with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has reported water stagnation in 12 subways across the city. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) has advised residents to avoid beaches, amusement parks, and outdoor recreational activities. Beaches and parks in Chennai and nearby districts will remain closed for the day.

GCC Mayor R. Priya assured the public that the civic body is "fully prepared" to handle the cyclone and associated heavy rains. Residents have been warned against standing or parking vehicles under trees during the downpour.

To address the crisis, 28,000 workers have been deployed for rain relief operations, with an additional 10 workers assigned to each of the city's 200 wards for handling complaints, food distribution, and rescue missions. 36 boats are on standby for emergencies.

IMD Issues Red Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chennai and surrounding districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall on November 30. Intense rains continue to lash Tamil Nadu's Delta districts, including Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam.

District collectors have urged the public to avoid water bodies for bathing, washing clothes, or swimming. Parents have been advised to keep children away from waterlogged areas and ensure they avoid standing under trees or in open spaces during thunderstorms.

Significant 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 for rain-related emergencies.

Coastal Precautions and Emergency Preparedness

Coastal areas are experiencing rough seas. In Nagapattinam's Vedaranyam, waves are receding, while in Cuddalore, waves have surged over 10 feet, compared to the usual two feet.

Coastal areas such as Thazhanguda, Devanampattinam, Singarathoppu, and Sothikuppam have been affected. Fishermen have been advised to remain ashore, and all mechanised and motorised boats are docked. The Cuddalore Port has raised Cyclone Warning Signal Number 3 due to strong winds and heavy rains.

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 equipment, and generator-powered lights.

The district administration has set up 28 cyclone shelters, 14 multi-purpose safety centres, and 191 temporary relief camps. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF), consisting of 30 and 25 members respectively, are on standby. Departments including revenue, rural development, highways, electricity, public works, fire services, and police have been instructed to implement all precautionary measures.

(With IANS inputs)