Chennai: Flight operations at Chennai Airport were significantly impacted on Friday due to the approach of Cyclone Fengal, which is expected to make landfall later in the evening. Heavy rain and strong winds forced the temporary closure of the airport until 7 p.m., causing widespread disruptions to air travel.

Air India announced via social media that its flights were affected by the worsening weather. IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, stating that flight schedules for cities including Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam were disrupted due to the adverse conditions. The airline suspended operations at Chennai Airport and urged passengers to stay updated by checking directly with their airlines.

Among the disruptions, an IndiGo flight from Abu Dhabi (6E1412), scheduled to land in Chennai at 8:10 a.m., was diverted to Bengaluru as a precaution. Passengers were encouraged to monitor their flight status for updates on delays or cancellations.

Chennai Airport’s official social media accounts confirmed that flight operations would resume once the weather stabilizes, with safety remaining the top priority. A number of flights have already been canceled or rescheduled due to the severe weather.

Tamil Nadu Braces for Heavy Rainfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been closely tracking Cyclone Fengal using advanced satellite and radar systems. The cyclone, which was previously moving west-northwest over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, is set to cross the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry later today.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has been overseeing preparedness measures, emphasizing the state’s readiness to tackle the cyclone’s impact. Continuous rainfall is forecast for the next two to three days, and relief efforts have been intensified. Camps have been set up to accommodate people displaced by the weather, and other districts are under close observation to assess potential risks.

The IMD has issued warnings of heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, with north coastal areas, including Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Cuddalore, expected to receive particularly intense showers. Isolated regions in these districts may experience extremely heavy rainfall. Additionally, districts such as Vellore, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, and Dharmapuri are also likely to see localized heavy downpours.

As Cyclone Fengal makes landfall, its effects are expected to disrupt daily life across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with authorities continuing to monitor the situation closely.