Sun Dec 01 01:36:19 UTC 2024: ## Cyclone Fengal Pummels Tamil Nadu, Disrupts Travel and Life
**Chennai, India –** Cyclone Fengal made landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast between Mahabalipuram and Puducherry early Sunday morning, bringing heavy rains, flooding, and widespread travel disruptions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the landfall, which began around 5:30 PM on November 30th and lasted several hours, with wind speeds reaching 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph.
The cyclone’s impact was immediate and significant. Chennai airport suspended operations until 4 AM on December 1st, resulting in the cancellation of over 50 flights and stranding thousands of passengers. Train services were also disrupted, with the Southern Railway announcing schedule changes.
Heavy rainfall led to significant waterlogging in several parts of Chennai, including Korattur, Velachery-Madipakkam, Kodungaiyur, Hasthinapuram, and Tirumalai Nagar, with rainwater entering numerous homes.
The IMD reported that Cyclone Fengal was weakening and would gradually become a deep depression within three hours of its landfall. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the damage. While the immediate crisis appears to be easing, the full extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Fengal is still being assessed.
First Piper 