Cyclone "Finajal" in Bay of Bengal May Hit Coastline This Afternoon, Red Alert Issued
The deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall along the northern Tamil Nadu coast by this afternoon, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
IMD has predicted that Cyclone Finajal will strike Tamil Nadu's Puducherry region on Saturday (November 30) afternoon, with wind speeds reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour during landfall. A red alert has been issued along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to minimize damage, with schools, colleges, and offices shut down.
The IMD reported that the depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclone on Friday. Over the past six hours, it has moved steadily north-northwest. On Saturday morning, the cyclone was located 190 km southwest of Chennai and 180 km east of Puducherry. It is expected to move further west-northwest and make landfall by this afternoon.
The cyclone is projected to cross the coast between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry shoreline. During landfall, wind speeds are expected to range from 70 to 80 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 90 km/h. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka through Monday.
To mitigate damage, the Tamil Nadu government has taken several precautions. Schools and colleges remain closed, and IT sector employees have been advised to work from home on Saturday. Traffic on the East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road will be suspended in the afternoon.
The Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Department has set up over 2,000 relief camps and evacuated more than 4,000 people from coastal areas to safer locations. Multiple helpline numbers have been activated to assist residents.
While Cyclone Finajal is not expected to have a direct impact on West Bengal, its effects have led to increased temperatures in southern districts. Cloudy skies have prevailed since Friday, with light rain possible in some coastal areas on Saturday and Sunday, as per the weather office.
