At least 30 dead after Cyclone Fengal makes landfall over Puducherry, India
Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry, India at around 19:00 local time (LT) on Saturday, November 30, 2024, unleashing winds of up to 90 km/h (55 mph) and heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding, disrupted transport services, and left at least 30 people dead. With 484 mm (19.06 inches) of rain recorded in Puducherry, the highest in 30 years, authorities issued Red Alerts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Satellite image of Cyclonic Storm Fengal making landfall. EUMESAT/Meteosat-IODC, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 13:30 UTC on November 30, 2024.
- Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry with wind speeds reaching up to 90 km/h (55 mph) and caused significant flooding and damage across southern India, particularly in Chennai.
- Puducherry recorded 484 mm (19.06 inches) of rainfall in 24 hours, the highest in 30 years, causing widespread flooding. Chennai also experienced significant rainfall, with 225 mm (8.86 inches) recorded in a single day.
- The storm resulted in the closure of Chennai Airport, with 226 flights canceled, suburban train services disrupted, and over 50 roads submerged. Three rain-related fatalities were reported in Chennai, including two electrocution incidents.
Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry at approximately 19:00 LT on Saturday, bringing winds of 70 – 80 km/h (43 – 50 mph) and gusts of up to 90 km/h (55 mph). The system’s minimum central pressure was recorded at 994 hPa at landfall.
A storm surge warning was issued for all low-lying areas in the coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern regions of Andhra Pradesh, with storm surges expected to reach 1 m (3.3 feet) above the astronomical tide. Fishing operations in the region have been suspended, and fishermen at sea were advised to return to shore.
The system completed the landfall process at around 02:00 LT on Sunday, December 1, as it moved west-southwestward and crossed the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm traveling at 10 km/h (6 mph). Sustained wind speeds ranged between 70 – 80 km/h (43 – 50 mph), with gusts up to 90 km/h (55 mph).
Heavy rainfall across southern India caused flooding in low-lying areas and disrupted flights and train services in Chennai. Chennai recorded 225 mm (8.86 inches) of rainfall on Saturday between 08:30 and 22:30 LT, with an additional 114 mm (4.49 inches) recorded in other areas of the city. Cuddalore reported 83 mm (3.27 inches) of rainfall during the same period.
Puducherry recorded 484 mm (19.06 inches) of rainfall in 24 hours to 08:30 LT on Sunday, the highest in the last 30 years. According to Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, several regions were flooded due to overnight heavy rains. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for Puducherry through Sunday, with moderate rain expected on Monday, December 2.
High tides and rough sea conditions were observed at Chennai’s beaches. According to S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology at the Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai, three locations recorded extremely heavy rain, six experienced very heavy rain, and 20 recorded heavy rain.
Significant rainfall was recorded at various locations, including Tiruvannamalai (17.6 cm), Cheyyar (17 cm), Jaya Engineering College at Thirunindravur (14 cm), R.K. Pet in Tiruvallur district (13 cm), Kolapakkam in Kancheepuram district (12 cm), Tiruttani (12 cm), and Meenambakkam (12 cm).
Three fatalities were reported in Chennai due to rain-related incidents, including two individuals electrocuted, one of whom was pumping floodwaters. About 100 people were rescued in Puducherry within two hours after rescue operations began at 06:15 LT on Sunday.
Chennai Airport was closed, with 226 flights canceled due to the system and adverse weather conditions. Twenty flights were diverted to other airports. The Airports Authority of India announced that the airport remained closed until 04:00 LT on Sunday.
Suburban train services between Chennai Beach and Velachery in the MRTS section were suspended on Saturday afternoon due to gale-force winds in the city.
Train services between Beach and Chengalpattu were disrupted due to waterlogged tracks at Pallavaram station. One express train was canceled, two were diverted, and the starting points of 11 trains were altered. Chennai Metro Rail services operated as usual. At least 53 major roads in the city were waterlogged, and seven subways were closed.
Red Alerts were issued across parts of Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Interior Karnataka. Several rescue operations were conducted, saving 200 lives in Krishna Nagar and Kuber Nagar alone.
Update
15:31 UTC, December 2
The number of fatalities rose to 30, with 13 deaths in India and 17 in Sri Lanka.
A Red Alert has been issued for Kerala as Cyclone Fengal is expected to bring heavy rains to the region as it passes over northern Kerala and Karnataka towards the Arabian Sea by Tuesday, December 3.
References:
1 Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 11 – IMD – Issued at 16:30 UTC on November 30, 2024
2Cyclone Fengal LIVE updates: At least three die in Cyclone Fengal fury, Chennai reels under rain – The Hindu – November 30, 2024
3 Cyclone Fengal crosses T.N. coast – The Hindu – December 01, 2024
4 Cyclone Fengal live: Army, NDRF’s rescue ops on in Puducherry, train services resume in Chennai – HT – December 1, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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