Flight operations in Tamil Nadu are facing significant disruptions as a deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal intensifies into a cyclone, expected to make landfall in the region. IndiGo Airlines has issued a travel advisory, alerting passengers that flights to and from several key airports in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tuticorin, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem, will continue to be impacted by the adverse weather conditions.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on November 27, IndiGo informed travellers that the weather conditions remained largely unchanged, with flights to these affected cities still facing delays and cancellations. The airline recommended passengers to stay updated on their flight status to avoid inconvenience, with a link provided for real-time updates. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the deep depression, now located about 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee, is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours. As of 5:30 PM IST on November 27, the system was about 320 km southeast of Nagapattinam and 420 km southeast of Puducherry. The cyclone is expected to continue its north-northwestward movement, skirting the Sri Lankan coast before intensifying further and approaching the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a deep depression on the morning of November 30.
The impact on the region has raised concerns for maritime safety as well. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has ramped up efforts to ensure the safety of seafarers, coordinating with state agencies to protect vessels. A warning has been issued for fishing boats to return to harbour as the storm strengthens. The ICG has mobilised ships, aircraft, and radar stations to monitor the situation closely, ensuring a rapid response to potential emergencies. The cyclone, now referred to as Cyclone Fengal, could cause widespread disruptions in transport and maritime operations across the region, with ongoing efforts from authorities to mitigate the storm’s impact. Passengers are urged to exercise caution and keep an eye on updated advisories for travel and safety.
