The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai has forecast potential landfall of the weather system in the Bay of Bengal as a deep depression between Karaikal and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) on Saturday (November 30, 2024), bringing heavy rainfall over coastal areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Friday that a deep depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a cyclonic storm. The cyclonic storm, named Fengal and pronounced as "Feinjal,

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.

The cyclone is predicted to intensify over the next 48 hours, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and a risk of flooding to the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Schools and colleges in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry remained closed today as heavy rains were forecast due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal brewing over the Bay of Bengal.

Due to heavy rain, the Chennai district collector declared a holiday for schools on Friday. Chengalpettu district also followed suit. The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is projected to weaken without forming Cyclone Fengal.

IMD forecasts that deep depression over the Bay of Bengal will move north-northwest, skirting Sri Lanka, and intensify into a cyclonic storm.