Schools in southern India have been closed, and hundreds of residents relocated to storm shelters as a powerful cyclonic storm approaches the region. Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu on Saturday afternoon, bringing sustained winds of 70-80 kilometers per hour, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Authorities have issued warnings for fishing crews to avoid venturing into the sea, as surging waves up to one meter high pose a flooding threat to low-lying coastal areas. The Economic Times reported that schools and colleges across several districts in Tamil Nadu have been closed, and at least 471 people have been moved to relief camps.
Cyclones, equivalent to hurricanes in the North Atlantic or typhoons in the northwestern Pacific, are a recurring and deadly threat in the northern Indian Ocean. Earlier this week, Cyclone Fengal skirted Sri Lanka’s coast, claiming at least 12 lives, including six children.
Scientists warn that such storms are becoming increasingly intense due to climate change, which is driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, providing additional energy to storms and intensifying wind speeds. A warming atmosphere also enables storms to hold more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall.
Despite these challenges, advancements in forecasting and more efficient evacuation planning have significantly reduced the number of casualties in recent years.
(Source: DAWN)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
