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: Cyclone Fengal made landfall early Sunday at around 2 am near Puducherry, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh are experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds.

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.

The Cyclone Fengal, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, made landfall near Puducherry late Saturday night, between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM.

Scenes of confusion unfolded at the airport as passengers faced lengthy delays, with many waiting for up to 12 hours before the situation stabilised.

The storm, the second to develop over the Bay of Bengal this season, packed gusts reaching up to 90 km per hour as it crossed the coastline. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai warned of continued heavy rainfall through Sunday,

Chennai and nearby areas experienced heavy rains due to cyclone Fengal, disrupting transport services and prompting evacuations. While no major damage was reported, hospitals were inundated, and operations at Chennai airport were suspended.

Cyclone Fengal-triggered heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed northern Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Saturday.

Cyclone Fengal has begun making landfall near the Puducherry coast, and is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast within the next few hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed.