The India Meteorological Department has retained its red alert for the third day for intense downpours in Tamil Nadu, Kariakal, and Puducherry.

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.

The cyclonic storm has begun making landfall near Puducherry. The landfall process may take approximately 4 hours to complete.

Cyclone Fengal is set to make landfall near Puducherry, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and nearby regions. Dense fog and temperature variations are expected in Delhi/NCR and central India over the coming days.

In a 7:35 pm update, the IMD reported that the forward sector of the cyclone's spiral bands has already moved inland. The storm is forecast to continue moving west-southwest, crossing the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram,

Chennai and neighbourhood areas in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry reported heavy rainfall on Saturday with intense continuing as the cyclone Fengal's landfall process commences at around 7pm.

Cyclone Fengal made landfall on Saturday night between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm IST, near Puducherry, with wind speeds of 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h.

A holiday has been declared for all government and private schools, government-aided schools, and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal today, November 28, 2024. Puducherry Education Minister Arumugam Namassivayam declared a holiday due to the heavy rains in the state,

Cyclone Fengal is expected to trigger heavy rains over Tamil Nadu's northern and delta districts and Puducherry as it is likely to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram on Saturday (30 November) afternoon.

Ahead of the landfall, heavy rains have already lashed parts of the state, causing waterlogging in several areas of the Chennai district.