Cyclone Fengal: Chennai Airport temporarily suspends flights

Chennai: Chennai International Airport has temporarily halted all flight operations as Cyclone Fengal brings heavy rains and strong winds to the region ahead of its expected landfall. IndiGo Airlines announced that no flights would be allowed to arrive or depart until 1 P.M. on Saturday due to adverse weather conditions.

An IndiGo source stated that the suspension was necessary to ensure passenger safety. A flight from Abu Dhabi, originally set to land at 8:10 AM, was diverted to Bengaluru, while an Air India Express flight to Singapore was canceled due to technical issues. SriLankan Airlines also canceled its Chennai-Colombo flight, scheduled for 9:40 AM.

Passengers at Terminal 2 are being accommodated in nearby hotels for their comfort and safety.

Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) on Saturday evening. As of now, the storm is located 150 km east of Puducherry, 140 km southeast of Chennai, 210 km northeast of Nagapattinam, and 400 km north of Trincomalee. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Fengal is anticipated to move westward and make landfall as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) reported water stagnation in 12 subways across the city. Mayor R. Priya reassured residents that the civic body is fully prepared to manage the impact of the cyclone and associated rainfall. Specific warnings were issued against standing or parking vehicles under trees during storms.

GCC has deployed 28,000 workers for rain relief operations, with additional personnel assigned to each of the city's 200 wards to address complaints, distribute food, and carry out rescues. Volunteers have been mobilized to maintain communication with the authorities, and 36 boats are on standby for emergencies.

In response to the heavy rainfall, the IMD issued a red alert for Chennai and surrounding districts on November 30, warning of extremely heavy rain. The Delta districts, including Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, continue to experience severe rain.

District Collectors have advised the public to stay away from water bodies and to keep children away from waterlogged areas and open spaces during thunderstorms. Several low-lying areas, including Sebastian Nagar and Sivasakthi Nagar in Velankanni, as well as Valliammai Nagar and Gomathi Nagar in Nagore, reported flooding after substantial rainfall.

Emergency preparations include a 24-hour control room with a toll-free helpline (04365-1077) to assist with rain-related emergencies.

Coastal areas are also affected by rough seas. In Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam, waves have receded, while in Cuddalore, sea waves have surged above 10 feet, compared to the usual height of two feet. Coastal towns such as Thazhanguda, Devanampattinam, Singarathoppu, and Sothikuppam have experienced significant disruptions.

Fishermen have been instructed to stay on shore, and all mechanized and motorized boats remain docked. Cuddalore Port has raised Cyclone Warning Signal Number 3 due to the storm's intensity.

In Cuddalore district, 270 personnel, including swimmers, have been deployed across 16 fire stations. Rescue teams are equipped with boats, safety gear, 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 also on standby to assist with relief operations.

All relevant departments, including revenue, rural development, highways, electricity, public works, fire services, and police, have been directed to implement precautionary measures.

With IANS inputs