Authorities in southern India have closed schools and colleges and evacuated hundreds of residents as Cyclonic Storm Fengal approaches Tamil Nadu’s coastline, with landfall expected on Saturday afternoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts winds of 70-80 kilometers per hour (43-50 mph) as Fengal makes landfall, along with waves rising up to one meter, which could lead to flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
Officials have advised fishing crews to stay off the water as a precaution. Reports indicate that at least 471 people have been moved to relief camps ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Cyclonic Storm Fengal follows a path along Sri Lanka’s coastline, where it caused severe damage and claimed 12 lives, including six children.
Cyclones, which are similar to hurricanes and typhoons, are common in the Indian Ocean but are becoming more intense due to climate change. Climate scientists explain that warmer ocean temperatures release more water vapor, fueling stronger winds, while a warming atmosphere leads to heavier rainfall.
While the severity of these storms is increasing, advances in forecasting and evacuation systems have helped reduce fatalities in recent years.
