AdaniConneX's Chennai 1 ensures 100% availability during cyclone, setting a blueprint for preparedness
Storms come and go, but some moments leave a lasting mark. When Cyclone Fengal swept through Chennai, it wasn’t just another monsoon - it was a real test of resilience. Flights were canceled, roads turned into rivers, and businesses braced for impact. In times like these, staying online isn’t just about technology; it’s about preparation, teamwork, and the ability to adapt when nature takes its course.
For businesses, the stakes are even higher. When critical infrastructure falters, the cost isn’t just measured in inconvenience - it’s counted in lost revenue, fractured supply chains, and shakes customer confidence. Data center service disruptions, in particular, takes a brutal toll. Recent research pegs large organizations' average cost of $5,600 per minute. In high-stakes sectors including healthcare and finance, that figure balloons beyond $5 million per hour. Imagine the fallout: transactions grind to a halt, supply chains fracture, and customer confidence declines. A single hour offline can unravel months of progress.
On November 30th and December 1st, 2024, Cyclone Fengal hit Chennai with torrential rain and widespread flooding, threatening the digital infrastructure that businesses rely on.
Yet, AdaniConneX Chennai 1 data center was able to deliver 100 percent availability. This isn’t luck, it’s the result of strategy and teamwork. The thing to ponder upon is how AdaniConneX ensured continuity when it matters most, offering a blueprint for resilience that keeps customers operational.
The foundation lies in preparedness aka proactive approach
Data drives the economy. For enterprises, data centers are lifelines. Manufacturers track production, telecoms maintain networks, media stream content, and governments serve citizens. Disruptions hit every sector, proving availability is non-negotiable.
Natural disasters pose challenges to data centers, including power disruptions from grid failures, prolonged outages impacting operations, and infrastructure damage due to high-speed winds and flooding.
Extreme weather events are unpredictable, but preparedness is not. Every year, ahead of monsoon, AdaniConneX’s team launches the Monsoon Preparedness Plan - a proactive approach to safeguard data centers. Members inspect drainage systems, reinforce infrastructure, and optimize backup power solutions to ensure continuity. Critical systems underwent pre-monsoon maintenance, including electrical safety audits, equipment checks, and storm-readiness drills to validate every contingency plan.
By the time the Tamil Nadu government issued an alert for Cyclone Fengal on November 28, the Chennai 1 team had already reviewed every protocol, stocked critical supplies, and positioned emergency response teams on-site. This proactive approach ensured that as the storm intensified, AdaniConneX was not reacting to a crisis, it was executing a well-rehearsed plan.
Resilience = Team execution under pressure
As Cyclone Fengal made landfall, heavy rains and strong winds battered the region, increasing the risk of grid failures and service disruptions.
With a 24/7 on-site operations team, the data center functioned in full control. Two dedicated response teams worked in rotating shifts, ensuring that critical functions including power stability, cooling systems, security, and customer communications, were actively managed. Engineers monitored voltage fluctuations, staying in constant coordination with the Tamil Nadu Energy Board (TNEB) to preempt any instability in the power supply.
With redundant power sources in place, Chennai 1 was ready for any potential grid failure. Diesel reserves were stocked to provide 48 hours of continuous backup power, ensuring that even in the worst-case scenario, operations would continue. Another team manages de-watering systems, pumping out water to keep the facility dry. Trained technicians positioned near chillers and critical equipment, to troubleshoot issues.
Communication remained a top priority for the team. Hourly status updates were shared with customers, vendors, and internal teams, ensuring transparency and trust.
A scenario that could have turned into chaos was transformed into a choreography of coordination and precision through teamwork.
Post-cyclone, the focus shifts to recovery. As Fengal receded, the team conducted a facility assessment. They inspect for water seepage, structural damage, and equipment wear. Minor issues like damaged plants or debris, were addressed swiftly. Restoration measures kick in, operations normalize, and the team analyzes the response, and identifies lessons to enhance preparedness for the future.
And the time for the result
As the cyclone passed, the Chennai 1 team conducted post-storm assessments. It noted zero service disruption and 100 percent availability. Customers experienced no interruptions, businesses continued running, and the Chennai 1 facility strengthened its position as a benchmark for data center reliability.
The ability to deliver in the toughest conditions is what separates standard infrastructure from mission-critical infrastructure. AdaniConneX has stated that resilience is not just about weathering challenges, but about ensuring that businesses, customers, and the digital ecosystem continue without disruption.
Extreme weather events will continue to test global infrastructure, however, with careful planning, strong edge design, and a dedicated team with a commitment to ensure business continuity – 100 percent availability is not just a target - it’s a promise that AdaniConneX can deliver.
