Cyclone Fengal to slam Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast on November 30 with 90 km/h winds
Posted on Nov 16, 2025 by Zander Beaumont
On the morning of November 30, 2024, residents of coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry braced for the most powerful storm to hit the region in nearly five years as Cyclone Fengal made landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, just south of Puducherry. With sustained winds hitting 70 km/h and gusts up to 90 km/h, the storm brought torrential rain, power outages, and flash flooding — a direct threat to over 2 million people living in low-lying areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned for days that this wasn’t just another monsoon disturbance — it was a full-blown cyclone, born in the Bay of Bengal on November 25 and intensifying rapidly by November 29.
How Fengal Formed and Why It Was So Fast
What made Cyclone Fengal dangerous wasn’t just its strength, but its speed. Forming as a low-pressure system on November 25, it gained tropical storm status by November 27 and exploded into a cyclonic storm by Friday, November 29. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Chennai noted sea surface temperatures were 1.5°C above average — a key ingredient for rapid intensification. At its peak, Fengal was located just 210 km southeast of Chennai, moving west-northwest at 7 km/h — slow enough to dump rain for hours, fast enough to catch many off guard.Unlike cyclones that weaken over land, Fengal carried moisture far inland. The IMD issued red alerts for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Kadalar districts — areas already saturated from earlier rains. In Puducherry, water levels in the Auroville canals rose by over 2 meters in 12 hours. “It’s like the sky opened up and poured for three days straight,” said R. Meena, a shopkeeper in Mamallapuram who lost her entire stock of dried fish to floodwater.
Emergency Response: NDRF and Navy on High Alert
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed seven specialized teams across the coast by Thursday evening. Each team carried inflatable boats, medical kits, and satellite phones — essential tools when roads vanish under water. Meanwhile, the Eastern Naval Command activated its disaster response protocol, moving two warships and three rescue vessels into position off the coast. Helicopters from the Indian Air Force were placed on standby in Tiruchirappalli.Evacuations began early. Over 140,000 people were moved from coastal hamlets to 327 government shelters. In Puducherry, school buildings were turned into temporary shelters. “We didn’t wait for orders,” said District Collector S. Arun Kumar. “When the IMD says ‘very heavy rainfall,’ you don’t gamble with lives.”
What the Storm Broke — and What It Didn’t
By Sunday morning, Fengal had weakened to a deep depression, but the damage was done. Over 18,000 homes lost power. More than 300 trees fell across Chennai’s arterial roads, blocking emergency routes. Fishing boats were smashed against jetties in Nagapattinam. Yet, miraculously, there were no confirmed fatalities — a testament to the precision of early warnings and the discipline of local authorities.Still, the economic toll is mounting. Preliminary estimates from the Tamil Nadu government put losses at $55 million — matching the figure cited by Wikipedia for agricultural damage, infrastructure collapse, and lost livelihoods. Rice paddies in Cuddalore were submerged. Banana plantations in Villupuram were flattened. The state’s fisheries sector, already reeling from last year’s cyclone, may take months to recover.
Why This Cyclone Matters Beyond the Coast
Fengal isn’t just a regional event — it’s a warning sign. The Bay of Bengal has seen seven cyclones since 2020, up from an average of two per decade in the 1990s. Scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology link this surge to warming ocean temperatures and changing wind patterns. “We’re no longer talking about rare events,” said Dr. Priya Nair, a climate researcher. “These are becoming the new normal. The question isn’t if the next one will come — it’s when.”For now, Tamil Nadu’s government is reviewing its coastal building codes. New rules may require elevated foundations for homes in flood zones and mandatory storm shutters for businesses. “We lost too much to ignorance,” said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a post-storm press conference. “This time, we build smarter.”
What Comes Next
The immediate crisis is over, but recovery will take weeks. The IMD says another low-pressure system is forming in the Bay of Bengal — not as strong, but enough to delay drying efforts. Power restoration teams are working 16-hour shifts. The National Food Security Mission has begun distributing emergency rations. And in villages near Puducherry, volunteers are hauling sandbags to rebuild damaged embankments.One thing’s clear: climate resilience is no longer optional. It’s survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cyclone Fengal compare to previous storms in Tamil Nadu?
Fengal was stronger than Cyclone Gaja (2018) in wind speed but weaker than Cyclone Nivar (2020) in rainfall volume. Unlike Nivar, which hit near Chennai directly, Fengal’s landfall was farther south, sparing the city’s core but hammering the northern coastal belt. Its rapid intensification — from depression to cyclone in 72 hours — was unusual and caught many off guard.
Why were only seven NDRF teams deployed when the threat was so widespread?
The NDRF prioritized high-risk zones based on IMD’s impact forecasts. Seven teams were enough because the storm’s path was predictable and evacuation rates were high. Additional teams were held in reserve in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, ready to move if flooding worsened. Coordination with local police and the navy reduced the need for massive ground deployment.
What areas outside Tamil Nadu were affected by Fengal?
Though landfall was in Tamil Nadu, heavy rains stretched into southern Andhra Pradesh, Kerala’s northern districts, and even parts of Karnataka’s Kodagu region. Sri Lanka’s eastern coast experienced strong winds and rough seas, prompting a minor evacuation of 2,000 fishermen. No major damage was reported outside India, but maritime traffic was disrupted for over 48 hours.
Is $55 million in damage a lot for a cyclone in India?
Yes — it’s among the top 10 costliest cyclones in India since 2015. For context, Cyclone Tauktae (2021) caused $1.2 billion in damage. But for Tamil Nadu’s coastal belt, $55 million is devastating. It equals nearly 15% of the state’s annual disaster preparedness budget. Most losses came from agriculture and small businesses, sectors with little insurance coverage.
Could this have been prevented?
No cyclone can be prevented, but its impact can be reduced. Early warnings from the IMD gave officials 72 hours to act — far more than past storms. The real failure lies in long-term planning: many homes were still built on floodplains, drainage systems remain clogged, and coastal mangroves — natural buffers — have been destroyed. Prevention isn’t about stopping storms. It’s about stopping people from living in their path.
When will the next cyclone hit this region?
The IMD says the next cyclone season runs from April to December, with peak risk in October and November. While no system is currently forming, oceanic conditions remain favorable. Climate models suggest the Bay of Bengal could see two to three cyclones annually by 2030 — up from one. Communities must treat every monsoon as potentially deadly.