Chennai: Cyclone Fengal made landfall early Sunday at around 2 am near Puducherry, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh are experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds.

To assist residents, 329 relief centers have been set up across Chennai, providing food, water, and shelter. Schools and colleges are closed in Chennai and Puducherry.

The cyclonic storm has progressed towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and is making landfall near Puducherry, an IMD official said. A red alert has been issued for 10 districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Cyclone Fengal, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, made landfall near Puducherry late Saturday night, between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM.

Cyclone Fengal's approach has caused havoc in Chennai, with strong winds and rainfall uprooting trees and waterlogging roads. It is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast by evening. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have issued several advisories,

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.

In anticipation of Cyclone Fengal and heavy rain, schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu's Kanchipuram district are closed. The India Meteorological Department warns of significant rainfall and strong winds as the cyclone nears landfall,

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the precautionary measures, as the state prepares to brace Cyclone Fengal. Flight operations have been hit at Chennai Airport.

Several airlines issued travel advisories about their schedules amid heavy rain in the region due to storm set to make landfall near Tamil Nadu.