The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, with the cyclone likely to make landfall today evening

Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry and is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coasts in the next three to four hours.

As per IMD, Cyclone Fengal to cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the evening of 30th November.

In a 7:35 pm update, the IMD reported that the forward sector of the cyclone's spiral bands has already moved inland. The storm is forecast to continue moving west-southwest, crossing the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram,

The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has set up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 to receive distress calls from the public. People can also seek help through the WhatsApp number 9488981070.

BENGALURU: Heavy rains lashed India’s south and a major airport shut operations as cyclone Fengal made landfall

Life has been severely disrupted, with many people stranded across various regions of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu due to the ongoing cyclonic conditions.

Cyclone Fengal, moving at 7kmph, started to enter the coast on Saturday evening. It is expected to cross between Karaikal and Mamallapuram near Puduch

Cyclonic storm Fengal has commenced making landfall close to Puducherry and it may approximately take 4 hours for it to cross the coast completely, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Cuddalore and Puducherry.

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