The cyclonic storm “Fengal” hovering over Bay of Bengal is likely to make landfall over Puducherry today afternoon, the India Meteorological Department said. The weather department has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in parts of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the Deep Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm Fengal at 2:30 p.m. IST on Wednesday, November 29. The cyclone is predicted to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the affected regions as it makes landfall.

The deep depression will be named Cyclone Fengal if it turns into a cyclonic storm before making landfall. However, the Met department official says weather patterns show it is weakening.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Fengal has already caused massive damage in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, with heavy rainfall submerging paddy crops in over 800 acres of land. Farmers in affected areas, including Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, and Pudupalli, are facing distress as their crops are completely submerged.

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.

Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall on the coast of Tamil Nadu today evening and the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for various parts of the southern states in view of incessant rainfall.

Cyclone Fengal - pronounced 'Feinjal' - is likely to make a landfall this afternoon. The cyclonic storm (Cyclone Fengal) brewing in the Bay of Bengal will cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram with a wind speed of 70-80 km per hour with gusts up to 90 kmph,