With Cyclonic Storm ’Fengal’ approaching the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, a senior IMD official said that there was will be fairly widespread moderate rainfall in most of the parts of the state.

The Puducherry government announced closures for November 29 and 30, affecting both government and privately managed institutions.

Cyclone Fengal will likely become a cyclonic storm, causing heavy to moderate rains in Tamil Nadu. Schools in 11 districts, including Chennai and Puducherry, will be shut on November 29 and November 30.

Tamil Nadu is preparing for a severe cyclonic storm set to hit between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram on Saturday afternoon. Disaster response teams are deployed and relief camps are ready. The storm is expected to bring winds up to 90 kmph and heavy rainfall above 20 cm in several districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, and Karaikal.

The cyclone is predicted to intensify over the next 48 hours, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and a risk of flooding to the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Schools and colleges in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry remained closed today as heavy rains were forecast due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal brewing over the Bay of Bengal.

Schools in Chennai will remain shut on Friday amid a heavy rain alert due to Cyclone Fengal. Chennai District Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade has announced a holiday for all schools from classes 1 to 12 on November 29.

Due to heavy rain, the Chennai district collector declared a holiday for schools on Friday. Chengalpettu district also followed suit. The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is projected to weaken without forming Cyclone Fengal.