Sat Nov 30 01:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Cyclonic Storm Fenjal Intensifies, Heavy Rains Expected in Tamil Nadu
**Chennai, November 29, 2024** – A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm named Fenjal on Friday afternoon, according to the Chennai Meteorological Department. The storm is expected to make landfall near Puducherry, between Karaikal and Mamallapuram, on Saturday afternoon.
Wind speeds are predicted to reach 70-80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph at the time of landfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy rain warnings for several districts.
The storm’s path has been a subject of much discussion, with initial uncertainty surrounding its trajectory and intensity. Srikanth, a weather enthusiast and blogger behind the website “Chennai Oru Mazhaik Kalam,” explained that Fenjal initially weakened near the Sri Lankan coast due to proximity to land and atmospheric conditions. However, after moving northeastward, it regained strength, highlighting the complexities of cyclone prediction. He emphasized that cyclone intensification and weakening aren’t linear processes and are not directly linked to climate change.
Pradeep John, popularly known as “Tamil Nadu Weatherman,” has also issued a forecast via social media, predicting heavy rainfall for Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Puducherry, particularly on Saturday. He cautioned that the storm’s initial unpredictable behavior made precise prediction challenging.
The IMD’s Southern Region Head, Balachandran, noted the storm’s unusual and constantly changing characteristics in its early stages, necessitating close monitoring. He further explained the challenges in providing precise rainfall predictions for specific locations, citing the recent example of unexpectedly heavy rainfall in Rameswaram.
The unpredictable nature of cyclones has led to anxiety among Tamil Nadu residents, particularly after the devastation caused by Cyclone Mikazam last year and the 2015 floods. While the government has prepared 2,229 relief centers, the focus remains on preparedness rather than solely relying on weather predictions. High-level storm warnings have already been hoisted in various coastal areas. The storm’s evolving nature, even after being named, has also generated a flurry of memes and social media commentary.
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