The deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal has turned into a cyclone. It is likely to move further west-northwestward and cross the north Tamil Nadu coast by afternoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone is likely to hit Puducherry in Tamil Nadu state on Saturday (November 30) afternoon. Wind gusts can reach up to 90 km/h during landfall. A red alert has been issued along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts to avoid damage due to M conditions. Schools, colleges, offices have been closed.

According to the IMD, the cyclone formed on Friday from a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal. It has gradually moved north-northwestward over the last 6 hours from southwest Bay of Bengal.

The cyclone is located 190 km southwest of Chennai and 180 km east of Puducherry on Saturday morning. It will move further west-northwest in the next few hours. It could make landfall by Saturday afternoon.

The cyclone will make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram on the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, the country's meteorological office said. During this time, the wind speed will be 70 to 80 km per hour, which may increase to a maximum of 90 km. As a result, heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur at several places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka till Monday.

The Tamil Nadu government has already taken various steps to avoid the damage caused by the cyclone. In addition to the closure of schools and colleges, employees of various IT companies have been ordered to work from home on Saturday. Traffic on East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road will remain closed on Saturday afternoon.

The Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Department has opened more than 2,000 relief camps in different areas. More than 450 people have been evacuated from the coastal area to safe places. Multiple helpline numbers have been opened.

Cyclone Finazal will not directly affect West Bengal. However, due to this, the temperature has increased in the districts of South Bengal. There is cloudy weather from Friday. According to the Meteorological Department, there may be light rain at two places along the coast on Saturday and Sunday.