Chennai braces for heavy rain and gusty winds

Government and departments prepare for Cyclone Fengal in Chennai, with schools closed and public safety measures in place.

The government and its various departments are bracing to face Cyclone Fengal, which is expected to make landfall near the city on Saturday (November 30, 2024) afternoon. The government has issued a public safety advisory ahead of this.

As a precautionary measure, all schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts will remain closed. Information technology companies are requested to allow their employees to work from home on Saturday (November 30, 2024). Public transport services on East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be temporarily suspended on Saturday afternoon, an official release said.

Due to the likelihood of heavy rain and strong winds during the landfall, people have been advised to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNDMA) urged residents to avoid visiting beaches, and amusement parks and attending recreational events.

Mayor R. Priya said the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) was ready to face the cyclone and heavy rain and asked the public to take necessary precautions. The civic body has closed parks and beaches within its limits on Saturday. Further, it warned people to avoid standing or parking vehicles under trees during heavy rain.

GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, in a release, stated all medium and high-rise construction sites should ensure that cranes and equipment at elevated areas were securely tied down or safely dismantled to prevent damage or collapse during strong winds. “Similarly, billboard owners and advertisers are instructed to inspect and secure their hoardings or dismantle them to prevent accidents during strong winds,” he said.

The city has recorded a total rainfall of 62.2 cm since October 1, with 3 cm reported for the 24-hour period ending 6 a.m. on Friday (November 29, 2024). “Water stagnation issues have been addressed in 1,003 cases of the 1,018 that were reported. A total of 183 tree falls that were reported since October 1 have been cleared, including nine on Friday,” a civic official said.

Ms. Priya said the Chief Minister had instructed all authorities to ensure preparedness for the cyclone. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Egmore, she said the GCC had installed 110 high-capacity motors in low-lying areas since last month and had procured 60 additional motors for deployment as needed. The desilting and cleaning of canals to mitigate flooding was still under way.