Cyclone Fengal-triggered heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed northern Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Saturday.

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).

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.

The cyclone is expected to bring severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and disruptions across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall on the coast of Tamil Nadu today evening and the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for various parts of the southern states in view of incessant rainfall.

Several airlines issued travel advisories about their schedules amid heavy rain in the region due to storm set to make landfall near Tamil Nadu.