BENGALURU: Heavy rains lashed southern India and a major airport suspended operations as Cyclone Fingal made landfall late on Saturday.
Hurricanes—the equivalent of hurricanes in the North Atlantic or hurricanes in the Pacific Northwest—are a regular and deadly threat in the northern Indian Ocean.
The Indian Meteorological Office said that “the frontal sector of the vortex bands associated with the cyclone has entered land” with sustained wind speeds of 70-80 kilometers per hour (43-50 mph) forecast.
Authorities also said there was a “moderate to high risk of flash flooding” in some areas.
Several areas in Tamil Nadu state were flooded, while authorities extended the closure of the main airport in the capital, Chennai, until Sunday.
“Due to gusty winds, the road has become heavily covered with sand and motorists are advised to move with caution,” Chennai Traffic Police posted on social media platform X.
Local media reported that schools and colleges in many areas of the state were closed, and at least 471 people were transferred to relief camps.
Cyclone Fingal circled the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this week, killing at least 12 people, including six children.
Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world warms due to climate change caused by burning fossil fuels.
Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, providing additional energy for storms, leading to stronger winds.
The warm weather also allows it to retain more water, which increases heavy rainfall.
But better forecasting and more effective evacuation planning resulted in the death toll being significantly reduced.