The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the Deep Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm Fengal at 2:30 p.m. IST on Wednesday, November 29. The cyclone is predicted to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the affected regions as it makes landfall.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Fengal has already caused massive damage in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, with heavy rainfall submerging paddy crops in over 800 acres of land. Farmers in affected areas, including Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, and Pudupalli, are facing distress as their crops are completely submerged.

The Puducherry government announced closures for November 29 and 30, affecting both government and privately managed institutions.

With Cyclonic Storm ’Fengal’ approaching the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, a senior IMD official said that there was will be fairly widespread moderate rainfall in most of the parts of the state.

The cyclone is predicted to intensify over the next 48 hours, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and a risk of flooding to the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Schools and colleges in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry remained closed today as heavy rains were forecast due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal brewing over the Bay of Bengal.

Due to heavy rain, the Chennai district collector declared a holiday for schools on Friday. Chengalpettu district also followed suit. The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is projected to weaken without forming Cyclone Fengal.