Chennai. Storm Fangal, which arose from the Bay of Bengal, hit Karaikal in Puducherry and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu on Saturday night. The landfall process continued till 11.30 pm. During this period, there was heavy rain and wind blowing at a speed of 90 kilometers per hour. The effect of the storm was also visible in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
According to IMD, after landfall on Saturday, the Fengal storm remained stuck here, but it will gradually weaken in a few hours. Due to this, heavy rain is expected in Puducherry, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Chennai on Sunday. Puducherry received 48.4 cm rainfall in 24 hours. This is the highest rainfall in a day in 30 years.
Chennai airport was closed at 12 noon due to the storm, which could start at 1 am. Flights started after midnight, but many flights were cancelled. Some flights arrived late. 24 domestic flights were canceled due to the storm. 26 international flights were delayed. A video has surfaced from Chennai Airport, in which Indigo flight got stuck in cross wind and started swaying during landing. The pilot flew the plane back. Indigo’s official statement on the incident has not come out.
The storm has affected Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry. Tamil Nadu has been most affected by the storm. The paddy crop has suffered a lot due to heavy rains here. More than 800 acres of crops have been destroyed in Nagapattinam.