A number of flights were cancelled and diverted due to bad weather in the southern metropolis.

Chennai airport suspended operations from 12.30pm to 7pm today “following safety concerns raised by stakeholder airlines” as the weather department predicted high crosswinds.

“Flights to and from Chennai are getting affected due to inclement weather and heavy rains,” Air India said.

Various parts of northern Tamil Nadu state were hit by heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds.

Fengal is expected to make landfall near Puducherry on the southern India’s Coromandel coast.

The Tamil Nadu government shut schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts and asked infotech companies to allow their staff to work from home, local media reported.

The region is likely to receive heavy rainfall for the next 48 hours, according to a report, citing the state’s chief minister MK Stalin.