According to the IMD, the cyclone crossed the coast near Puducherry between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm IST, with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph.

Cyclonic Storm Fengal has begun crossing the coast of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region.

Cyclone Fengal approaches Tamil Nadu, India, with powerful winds and surging waves. Schools are shut, and hundreds have been evacuated as authorities brace for landfall. Stay updated on the latest developments.

In low-lying areas like Madipakkam, residents parked vehicles on higher ground, including both sides of the Velachery flyover, to prevent damage from flooding.

Normal life was paralysed in Chennai, its neighboring districts, parts of northern Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry on Saturday as cyclonic storm Fengal (pronounced as Feinjal) lay centered about 50 km southeast of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram).

In anticipation of Cyclone Fengal and heavy rain, schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu's Kanchipuram district are closed. The India Meteorological Department warns of significant rainfall and strong winds as the cyclone nears landfall,

Cyclone Fengal over the southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 13kmph during Saturday afternoon and was located at about 120km east-northeast of the union territory of Puducherry, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Cyclonic storm Fengal commenced its landfall process close to Puducherry and it may approximately take 4 hours for it to cross the coast completely, PTI reported, citing an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official on Saturday.

Chennai airport on Friday announced suspension of operations till 4 am on December 1 following heavy inundation of runways and the taxiway, due to the cyclone 'Fengal' triggered rains and the 'adverse weather condition,

The airport was earlier closed from noon to 7pm on Saturday as airlines cited difficulties in landing and taking off due to heavy crosswinds.