The remnants of Cyclone Fengal, after making landfall in Tamil Nadu, are continuing to impact weather patterns across South India. Bengaluru, the tech hub of India, is experiencing a noticeable dip in temperatures, with the minimum temperature predicted to plummet to around 20 degrees Celsius. This unexpected chill follows the cyclone’s torrential downpour in neighboring states. The meteorological department has issued a forecast predicting cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall for Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, and Chamarajanagara districts over the next six days. Residents should be prepared for potentially disruptive weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the impact on Tamil Nadu has been dramatic. Puducherry, a union territory, recorded an astonishing 48.4 centimeters of rainfall in just 24 hours – the highest 24-hour cumulative rainfall in 30 years (1995-2024). This extreme weather event has led to flood-like situations in several areas, necessitating evacuations and relief efforts. The cyclone’s impact extends to Chennai, where high tides and rough sea conditions were reported this morning, following the cyclone’s landfall. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a warning for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chennai on Sunday, urging residents to stay indoors and heed local safety advisories.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides crucial context by distinguishing between minimum and maximum temperatures, explaining that the minimum temperature represents the coldest point of the day and the maximum represents the warmest. Their updates indicate that as of 5:30 AM, Cyclone Fengal remained stationary approximately 120 kilometers south-southwest of Chennai. However, the IMD expects the cyclone to weaken and move westward slowly, likely transitioning into a deep depression over the north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry regions within the next six hours. This encouraging news suggests that the worst of the cyclone’s impact is over, though the aftereffects in terms of flooding and disrupted infrastructure will require significant recovery efforts.
In the Chengalpattu district, near Kalpakkam, preemptive relocation of people living in areas susceptible to flooding has taken place, showcasing proactive disaster management strategies in the face of this significant weather event. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, offering support to affected communities. Further updates and warnings will be provided as the situation evolves.
