Chennai: Due to the low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal, various districts in Tamil Nadu are receiving widespread rain. Since Monday night, moderate rain has been falling in some places in Chennai and its suburbs, and heavy rain in some places.
The low-pressure area that had formed in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, which is moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast. The India Meteorological Department has said that it is likely to turn into a cyclone on Wednesday.
Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts are likely to receive heavy rain on November 26, 27 and 28, according to the Chennai Meteorological Department.
Severe rainfall, triggered by Cyclone Fengal, has caused significant disruptions at Chennai International Airport, leading to delays and cancellations of multiple flights. Waterlogged runways and poor visibility affected operations, with numerous flights stranded mid-air or grounded.
Flight Disruptions at Chennai Airport
Several flights, including those operated by Indigo Airlines from Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, were forced to circle over the city due to unsafe landing conditions. After the rain eased slightly, airport authorities managed to drain the runways, allowing some flights to land. However, delays continued for outbound flights to cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow.
In total, 15 flights- seven arrivals, and eight departures, were delayed as a result of the severe weather. Passengers were advised to check flight schedules regularly and plan for extra travel time due to the unpredictable conditions.
Balachandran, Southern Region Chief of the India Meteorological Department, said, "Tomorrow (Nov. 27) Very heavy rain will occur at one or two places in Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai districts; heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur in the northern coastal districts from Tiruvarur to Pudukkottai. The day after tomorrow (Nov. 28), heavy to very heavy rain is likely to fall at places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Villupuram districts; heavy rain is also likely at places in Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts."
Not only this, there is a possibility of heavy rain at one or two places in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts on the 29th, he said.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas as cyclonic winds are likely to blow in the Comarine Sea, Gulf of Mannar, areas adjacent to the Tamil Nadu coast, Central West Bengal Sea and South West Bengal Sea until the 30th.
Closure of Schools and Colleges:Due to Heavy Rain, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai district administration has announced leave for schools and colleges on Wednesday.
After Red and Orange Alert for Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had a meeting with Ministers, Various Department officials and District Collectors including delta districts and discussed precautionary measures to rescue people from heavy rains.