IndiGo suspends flight ops at Chennai due to cyclone Fengal

Flight operations at Chennai International Airport have been suspended from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM due to strong crosswinds from Cyclone Fengal. Winds reaching up to 90 km/h have forced airlines, including Indigo, to halt arrivals and departures. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates, as flights will resume once conditions improve.

Cyclone Fengal, currently over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, is moving west-northwest at 12 km/h. It is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry this evening, with wind speeds of 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h. As of 5:30 AM today, the cyclone was located about 150 km east of Puducherry and 140 km southeast of Chennai.

Heavy rainfall has impacted Chennai and surrounding districts, including Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, and Ranipet. Anna Nagar and Ennore have recorded 10 cm and 8 cm of rain, respectively, since Friday night. As of 8:30 AM, the region had received a cumulative 12 cm of rainfall, with forecasts predicting additional downpours throughout the day.

Schools and colleges in nine districts have been closed, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, and Villupuram. Key roads, such as East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), are temporarily closed for safety. Metro and bus services remain operational, but authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Parks and beaches, including Marina Beach and Edward Elliot Beach, are closed to the public.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has activated relief measures, deploying 22,000 workers and setting up 329 relief centers across the city. Emergency teams have 103 boats and 1,686 motor pumps on standby to address waterlogging and flooding. Power outages have been reported in multiple areas, and residents are urged to report emergencies to local authorities.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in northern coastal districts. Cyclone Fengal is expected to bring intense showers and rough sea conditions as it nears landfall. Coastal areas, including Puducherry and Nagapattinam, are experiencing moderate rainfall and strong winds.