Cyclonic Storm Fengal on Sunday began crossing the coast of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region. According to the latest updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD),

“It is due to its slow movement, Fengal has brought exceptionally heavy rainfall over some districts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry. Despite nine hours having passed that it crossed over land, Fengal continues to maintain its intensity as a cyclone, against the norm of weakening when any cyclone hits land,” said an IMD official.

A low-level cyclone that smashed into India's southern coastline killed at least three people but otherwise did not cause widespread damage, officials said. Cyclone Fengal made landfall late Saturday with sustained winds of 70-80 kilometres an hour (43-50 miles per hour).

The cyclonic storm has progressed towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and is making landfall near Puducherry, an IMD official said. A red alert has been issued for 10 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Chennai airport announced suspension of operations till 4 am on December 1 following heavy inundation of runways and the taxiway

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Cyclone Fengal is likely to continue inching toward west-southwestward, weakening into a deep depression within the next few hours. The cyclone was monitored by Doppler weather radars in Chennai and Karaikal.

To assist residents, 329 relief centers have been set up across Chennai, providing food, water, and shelter. Schools and colleges are closed in Chennai and Puducherry.

According to the IMD, the cyclone crossed the coast near Puducherry between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm IST, with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph.

Confusion surrounds Cyclone Fengal's landfall. While the Meteorological Department declared landfall, a private weather analyst reported the cyclone remains at sea. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in Chennai and Puducherry.