Authorities in southern India have closed schools and colleges and evacuated hundreds of residents as Cyclonic Storm Fengal approaches Tamil Nadu's coastline, expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast sustained winds of 70-80 kilometers per hour (43-50 mph) as Fengal reaches Tamil Nadu. The storm is also likely to generate surging waves of up to one meter, posing a flood risk to low-lying coastal areas.
Officials have urged fishing crews to remain off the water as part of precautionary measures. According to reports by The Economic Times, at least 471 individuals have been relocated to relief camps in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
Cyclonic Storm Fengal follows its earlier trajectory along Sri Lanka’s coastline, where it caused significant devastation, claiming 12 lives, including six children.
Cyclones, the Indian Ocean’s equivalent of hurricanes and typhoons, are a recurrent and deadly phenomenon. However, experts warn that climate change, fueled by the burning of fossil fuels, is intensifying these storms.
“Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapour, which powers stronger winds, while a warming atmosphere boosts heavy rainfall,” explained climate scientists.
Despite the growing ferocity of such storms, advancements in forecasting technology and streamlined evacuation protocols have significantly reduced fatalities over the years.
