Cyclone Fengal live: Deep depression likely to intensify into cyclonic storm by Nov 29, says IMD

Karnataka's Bengaluru on Thursday logged minimum temperature of 17.3 degrees Celsius, with the maximum expected to be 25.2 degrees Celsius.

On Friday, November 29, Bengaluru is predicted to experience a minimum and maximum temperature of 17.06 degrees C and 24.17 degrees C, respectively. Tomorrow humidity levels are expected to be at 58 per cent.

An National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team reportedly inspected the vulnerable and low-lying areas in TR Patinam, Karaikal of Puducherry, along with officials, focussing on risk assessment and safety measures, NDRF said.

Cyclone Fengal live: Chennai woke up to a foggy morning on Thursday. The deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal brought heavy rain for the city and other parts of Tamil Nadu. It is likely to turn into a cyclonic storm by November 29 morning.

In an update at 8:46 am today, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved ​northwards with a speed of 2 kmph during past six hours about 110 km east-northeast of Trincomalee.

The IMD said the weather system is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram around morning of November 30 as a deep depression with a wind speed of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph.

There is a possibility of marginal intensification of the deep depression into a cyclonic storm with wind speed 65-75kmph gusting to 85 kmph over southwest Bay of Bengal during the evening of November 28 to morning of November 29, IMD said.

IMD has issued a warning to fishermen not to venture out into the sea as the deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the evening of November 28 to morning of November 29.

While schools were closed in Tamil Nadu's Chennai on Wednesday, November 27, over heavy rainfall, no such notice was issued for the city for November 28.

Indian Navy said it is gearing up to render all necessary support to the vulnerable areas in coordination with Tamil Nadu and civil administration in anticipation of the impact of this cyclone along the coast of the state.

The preparations include loading vehicles with food, drinking water, medicines and other HADR relief materials as well as positioning Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) for quick response. The Headquarters of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (HQTN&P) has also kept their Diving teams on standby for emergency rescue operations, Indian Navy said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its bulletin that light to moderate rainfall at a few places accompanied with isolated thunderstorm and lightning very likely over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema on November 27 and 28.

Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is expected between November 28 and 30. Heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on December 1 and 2 is also expected.

The IMD also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam during November 28 to 30. IMD said heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Andaman and Nicobar Islands on November 30, Rayalaseema during November 28 and 30 and Kerala and Mahe during November 30 to December 2.

In a bulletin at around 3 am on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal ​remained practically stationary over the past six hours at 11:30 pm near ​latitude 9.0°N and longitude 82.1°E, about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee.

“To move nearly north-northwestwards skirting Sri Lanka coast and intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours,” IMD said.

IMD said it will cross “north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram around morning of November 30 as a deep depression with a wind speed of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph.”

Cyclone Fengal live updates: The chief minister instructed Disaster Management, PWD, and Municipality officials to take immediate action, in coordination with the IMD, which forecast heavy rains in Puducherry and Karaikal for the next two days.

Officials were directed to move people from low-lying areas to relief camps. A 24-hour control room has been established.

Arrangements were made to provide food packets to those in relief camps.

Two National Disaster Response Force teams from Arakkonam have been deployed for relief operations.

Sixty water pumps have been provided to municipal and revenue authorities to drain rainwater from low-lying areas.

Fishermen were warned against going out to sea, and the police closed the beach road for the public.

Cyclone Fengal live updates: On Wednesday, Pamban Port in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district faced strong winds as a deep depression formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

Cyclone Fengal live updates: As the deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a cyclone and head towards Tamil Nadu, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has begun working with state agencies to ensure the safety of seafarers.

The ICG stated that its ships, aircraft, and radar stations have issued warnings for fishing boats to return to the harbor.

“Deep Depression in the #BayofBengal likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards #Tamilnadu, as per #IMD. @IndiaCoastGuard Region HQs (East) is coordinating with state agencies to ensure seafarers' safety. #ICG Ships, Aircraft & Radar Stations issuing advisories for fishing boats to return to harbour,” the ICG posted on X on Wednesday.

Cyclone Fengal live updates: Regarding the movement of the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm, the IMD stated, “It is very likely to continue moving north-northwestwards, skirting the Sri Lanka coast, and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. Thereafter, it will continue moving north-northwestwards and approach the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression around the morning of 30th November.”

Cyclone Fengal live updates: Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday with officials from various departments to assess the situation caused by heavy rainfall in the Puducherry and Karaikal regions.

The meeting also discussed the preparedness of departments to manage the ongoing rains and the potential impact of Cyclone Fengal.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office, Puducherry recorded 7.5 cm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, while Karaikal received 9.5 cm during the same period.

Cyclone Fengal live updates: IndiGo Airlines informed its passengers late Wednesday that flight services to and from Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem would continue to be impacted.

"#6ETravelAdvisory: The weather conditions remain largely unchanged and continue to be unfavourable, with flights to/from #Chennai, #Tuticorin, #Madurai, #Tiruchirappalli & #Salem still impacted," the airline posted on X on Wednesday.

"Stay updated on your flight status via https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj. It's always better to be prepared to ensure smooth travels," it added.