As of 26 November 2024, IMD reported that the system was centred about 340 km south-southeast of Trincomalee, 630 km south-southeast of Nagapattinam, 750 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 830 km south-southeast of Chennai. Currently, it is moving towards the Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts.
What is Cyclone Fengal?
Cyclone Fengal is a tropical weather system formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining East Equatorial Indian Ocean. Cyclone Fengal follows Cyclone Dana, which hit Odisha on 25 October 2024.
As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it could develop into a cyclonic storm, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry between November 25 and 27.
If the system intensifies into a cyclone, it will be named ‘Fengal’ following the World Meteorological Organization’s naming conventions. The exact path and impact are being closely monitored.
Cyclone Naming and Context
If the system becomes a cyclonic storm, it would be named ‘Fengal’, a name suggested by Saudi Arabia as part of a naming sequence by 13 countries.
Projected Path and Landfall
It is likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression during the next 12 hours. Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move north-northwestwards towards the Sri Lanka – Tamil Nadu coasts during the subsequent 2 days.
As per IMD, the Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining East Equatorial Indian Ocean moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centred at 5.30 am IST on 26 November 2024.
The IMD predicts that the system will make landfall between Chennai and Puducherry, likely between 25 to 27 November 2024.
Rainfall and Wind Forecast
As the system intensifies and nears the coast:
Rainfall: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and surrounding areas from 25 to 29 November. Isolated places may experience extremely heavy downpours, increasing the risk of urban flooding. While light to moderate rainfall for South coastal Andhra Pradesh from 26 to 29 November.
Wind Speeds: Sustained wind speeds are expected to reach 65 km/h, with gusts up to 75 km/h over the southwest Bay of Bengal and along & off Sri Lanka, Tamilnadu & Puducherry coasts from the evening of 26 to 29 November, posing risks to coastal structures, transport, and local fishing activities.
Sea condition: Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected to prevail over the southwest Bay of Bengal, adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, and along the coasts of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea.
