December 1, 2024: Cyclone Fengal made landfall along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast on Saturday evening, triggering intense rainfall and widespread flooding across several areas, including Chennai and Puducherry. Tragically, three individuals lost their lives in separate rain-related electrocution incidents in Chennai. Despite the fatalities, authorities reported no major structural damage, although the region saw record rainfall.

Puducherry recorded a staggering 44 cm of rain, the highest in the past three decades, as the cyclone intensified. The heavy downpours, combined with strong winds, caused significant disruptions to public transport. Bus, train, and flight services were affected, and the Chennai airport was closed for 16 hours due to the storm's impact. It reopened early Sunday morning at 4 am, though many flights were either delayed or canceled.

As Cyclone Fengal moved inland, it left both Chennai and Puducherry with a trail of devastation in terms of flooded streets and disrupted daily life. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone had remained stationary over the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, and it was expected to weaken into a deep depression within the next few hours.

In response to the ongoing storm, authorities took preventive measures, including the evacuation of vulnerable residents to safer shelters. The Puducherry District Collector announced that all private schools and government institutions, as well as private colleges, would be converted into relief shelters. The authorities instructed the management of these institutions to open their doors immediately to accommodate those in need of shelter.

While the immediate impact of the cyclone has subsided, local authorities continue to monitor the situation, with the IMD forecasting further weakening of the cyclone. The government remains on high alert as recovery operations and relief measures are underway.