The remnants of Cyclonic Storm Fengal have intensified into a depression, bringing unprecedented rainfall and widespread disruptions across northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Moving west-northwestward at a speed of 7 km/h, the depression is being closely monitored as it continues to impact the region.
IMD Updates on Cyclonic Depression
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) provided the latest updates on the depression’s position and trajectory.
As of 11:30 pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024, the depression was centered near latitude 12.2°N and longitude 79.2°E:
40 km northwest of Villupuram
70 km west-northwest of Puducherry
80 km northwest of Cuddalore
140 km southwest of Chennai
The IMD stated that the depression is expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over north interior Tamil Nadu in the next six hours. Furthermore, the remnant low-pressure system may emerge over the southeast and east-central Arabian Sea near the Kerala-Karnataka coastline by December 3, 2024.
“The system is being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Karaikal,” the IMD shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Record-Breaking Rainfall in Puducherry
Lieutenant Governor Kailashnathan reported that Puducherry experienced one of its highest rainfalls ever recorded, with 48.6 cm of rain in just 24 hours.
“The drainage infrastructure couldn’t handle such a large volume of water in a single day. Electric substations were submerged, forcing a power shutdown,” Kailashnathan said.
Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, with fallen trees and damaged power lines being cleared. “All substations are expected to be re-energized by tonight,” he added.
Holiday Declared for Schools and Colleges
As heavy rainfall disrupted daily life, holidays were declared for schools and colleges:
Puducherry: Education Minister A Namachivayam announced a holiday on Monday, December 2, for all government, government-aided, and private institutions.
Tamil Nadu: Holidays were also announced in districts including Villupuram, Cuddalore, Vellore, and Ranipet.
Cyclonic Impact and Future Trajectory
While the depression continues to weaken, its effects are far-reaching:
Electricity outages: Submerged substations and fallen trees disrupted power supply in affected regions.
Transport: Waterlogging caused traffic disruptions, and emergency services have been working to restore accessibility.
Forecast: The remnant low-pressure system is likely to emerge off the north Kerala-Karnataka coasts in the coming days, potentially bringing further rainfall to the region.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
Residents are advised to:
Monitor updates from the IMD and local authorities.
Avoid waterlogged areas and exercise caution around damaged electric lines.
Follow safety measures and adhere to travel advisories in affected regions.