Cyclone Fengal over the southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 13kmph during Saturday afternoon and was located at about 120km east-northeast of the union territory of Puducherry, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Fengal has already caused massive damage in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, with heavy rainfall submerging paddy crops in over 800 acres of land. Farmers in affected areas, including Kamashwaram, Virundhamavadi, and Pudupalli, are facing distress as their crops are completely submerged.

The Department of Revenue and Disaster Management has set up toll-free numbers 112 and 1077 to receive distress calls from the public. People can also seek help through the WhatsApp number 9488981070.

The cyclonic storm “Fengal” hovering over Bay of Bengal is likely to make landfall over Puducherry today afternoon, the India Meteorological Department said. The weather department has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in parts of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today.

Cyclone Fengal - pronounced 'Feinjal' - is likely to make a landfall this afternoon. The cyclonic storm (Cyclone Fengal) brewing in the Bay of Bengal will cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Karaikal and Mamallapuram with a wind speed of 70-80 km per hour with gusts up to 90 kmph,

The Indian Navy has activated a comprehensive disaster response plan as the cyclonic storm intensifies in the Bay of Bengal.