IMD predicts that the cyclonic storm will move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts close to Puducherry with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during the afternoon today. As Cyclone Fengal expected to intensify Chennai coast, A scene at Kovalam Beach, in Chennai on Friday. | Photo Credit: Ravindran. R

The cyclonic storm has progressed towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and is making landfall near Puducherry, an IMD official said. A red alert has been issued for 10 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Cyclone Fengal remains stationary over Tamil Nadu after landfall; will weaken into deep depression. Follow The Hindu for updates.

Cyclone Fengal has started making landfall near Tamil Nadu's Puducherry at 5:30 PM on Saturday and it will take nearly four hours to complete. As a pre-emptive measure, the state government appealed to people to stay indoors and declared November 30 a holiday for educational institutions as a precautionary measure.

The cyclonic storm has progressed towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and is making landfall near Puducherry, an IMD official said. A red alert has been issued for 10 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Cyclone Fengal made landfall in India's southernmost state of Tamil Nadu Saturday evening (Nov 30). The storm is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast in the next three hours, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

As of Saturday morning, Cyclone Fengal was located 110 km southeast of Chennai and 120 km east-northeast of Puducherry, moving westward at 13 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts landfall near Puducherry by night,

The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has set up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 to receive distress calls from the public. People can also seek help through the WhatsApp number 9488981070.

The uncharacteristically slow pace of the cyclone has caused it to hover over the Bay of Bengal, causing it to gather more moisture. According to experts, this is causing heavy rain in several parts of the state.