As Cyclone Fengal approaches the Tamil Nadu coast, authorities in southern India have closed schools and evacuated hundreds of people to storm shelters in preparation for the powerful storm, which is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted sustained winds of 70 to 80 kilometers per hour, with the cyclone set to affect the region. Local authorities have issued warnings urging fishing boats to stay off the waters, as the storm is also expected to produce surging waves up to one meter, posing a flood risk to low-lying coastal areas.
Schools and colleges across several districts in Tamil Nadu have been shut down to ensure the safety of students, with at least 471 people relocated to relief camps as a precautionary measure, according to reports from the Economic Times. The storm, known as Cyclone Fengal, is the latest in a series of cyclones that frequently impact the northern Indian Ocean, an area prone to these severe weather events, which are similar to hurricanes and typhoons in other parts of the world.
Earlier in the week, Fengal passed near Sri Lanka, where it claimed the lives of at least 12 people, including six children. Scientists have raised concerns about the increasing intensity of storms in recent years, which they attribute to global climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, providing extra energy for storms and intensifying their winds, while a warmer atmosphere allows them to hold more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall.
Despite these growing challenges, improvements in storm forecasting and evacuation planning have significantly reduced fatalities in recent years. Authorities are continuing to monitor the storm’s progress and are urging residents to remain alert as the situation develops.
