Schools, colleges closed amid heavy rains as cyclone Fengal approaches India

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday urged resident to be fully prepared as cyclone Fengal approaches amid heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours Southern India.

In anticipation of heavy rainfall across many parts of Tamil Nadu, several districts have declared a holiday for schools and colleges.

IMD said very heavy rainfall was observed during the past 24 hours till 8:30 a.m. (local time) in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

Reports said continuous heavy rainfall that persisted overnight has damaged standing paddy crops in the Cauvery Delta region, southern India.

This is the second cyclone in the post-monsoon season to affect the Indian coast. Last month cyclone Dana hit India’s Odisha.

IMD has urged fishermen out at sea to return to coasts immediately.

Officials said they had kept shelters, boats, earthmovers, tree cutters and generator sets ready in adequate numbers, along with first responders and volunteers.

The disaster response force teams have also been deputed in each district likely to face the impact.