Puducherry: Cyclone Fengal has brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, prompting authorities to declare holidays for schools and colleges on Monday. Education Minister A. Namachivayam announced the closure of all government, government-aided, and private institutions in Puducherry. Similarly, local administrations in Tamil Nadu districts, including Villupuram, Cuddalore, Vellore, and Ranipet, have implemented school and college closures due to severe weather conditions.
The cyclone, which made landfall late Saturday night between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm, crossed the coasts of North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, bringing winds of 70-80 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 90 km/h. Cuddalore has experienced severe flooding, with residential areas submerged and rescue efforts underway. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities are using boats to evacuate stranded residents.
As Cyclone Fengal moves westward, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for moderate to heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal and Rayalaseema regions. Areas such as Kakinada and Nellore are likely to face intense downpours. KVS Srinivas, Managing Director of the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam, confirmed that several areas in Andhra Pradesh have already recorded significant rainfall.
Residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and follow official advisories. Authorities are closely monitoring the storm’s movement to ensure timely interventions and safety measures.
