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.

Chennai airport announced suspension of operations till 4 am on December 1 following heavy inundation of runways and the taxiway

The cyclone is likely to continue moving west-northwestward and cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 70-80 km/h, gusting to 90 km/h, during the afternoon of November 30.

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.

Cyclone Fengal, a slow-moving weather system that has recently picked up pace, is expected to make landfall near Chennai on the afternoon of Saturday, November

The Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments are on high alert, deploying NDRF and SDRF teams in the districts which are expected to face the cyclone’s wrath. The Tamil Nadu government has stepped up measures like relief camps and shelters and emergency medical teams.