Cyclone Fengal Updates: Chennai Airport Closed Ahead of Landfall Near Puducherry, Many Flights Suspended Including IndiGo

Seychelles: Jewel Airlines has issued a travel advisory regarding the incident as heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected in Tamil Nadu.

IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, noting that flights from several cities including Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam were affected. "Current weather conditions continue to affect flights from Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tuticorin, Madurai, along with Tirupati and Visakhapatnam," read the airline's post..

The airport also reported flight diversion due to bad weather, “IndiGo @Indigo6E 6E1412 (A320, VT-IPT) Abu Dhabi to Chennai, scheduled to arrive at 0810 hrs, has been diverted to Bengaluru due to bad weather at Chennai. . . Passengers are advised to check with IndiGo for further updates.”

In addition, the airport advised passengers to confirm the status of flights to and from various destinations with their respective airlines, noting that several flights were cancelled or rescheduled due to ongoing weather challenges.

Heavy rains are lashing parts of Tamil Nadu

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is closely monitoring Cyclone Phangal using Doppler weather radars in Chennai (S band and X band) and Sriharikota along with satellite observations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the state's arrangements and precautionary measures in light of the cyclone. Sharing an update, he said, "The Meteorological Department has warned of continuous rains for the next two-three days. The Tamil Nadu government is continuously monitoring and taking precautionary measures. It is reported that the cyclone will cross the coast tonight... Relief work is underway, and relief camps are also being kept under constant watch to accommodate people.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai had predicted heavy rains in the north coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday due to the impact of the cyclone.

According to the IMD, "Heavy to very heavy rains are expected at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry today."

The IMD added, "Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal region. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Tiruripattur, Krishna. Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal Up, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai and Karur districts."

The weather agency said Cyclone Phangal, which had earlier moved west-northwestwards over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to cross the coast of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry later today.