New Delhi, July 13 : On an upward trajectory since July 5, petrol prices in the financial capital of the country crossed the Rs 84 per litre mark on Friday and was sold at Rs 84.14 a litre.

The cost of the fuel in Mumbai rose 17 paise from Rs 83.97 on Thursday, according to data from the Indian Oil Corp.

In the other major cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, petrol was sold at Rs 76.76, Rs 79.42 and Rs 79.67 per litre, up from Rs 76.59, Rs 79.26 and Rs 79.49 respectively on Thursday.

In Mumbai, along with the other metros prices rose to unprecedented levels in May, with the all time high being Rs 86.24, recorded on May 29. It had first touched the Rs 84 a litre level on May 20.

After a hiatus of around 36 days fuel prices started to rise on July 5. However, on July 10 and 11 prices were steady.

In tandem with petrol, the price of diesel also went up across the four metros. It was sold at Rs 68.43, Rs 70.98, Rs 72.61 and Rs 72.24 per litre in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai respectively, up from the previous levels of Rs 68.30, Rs 70.85, Rs 72.47 and Rs 72.10 per litre.

The high prices of diesel gain significance as it is used in the transportation of agriculture and food products, which in turn impacts the country's inflation rate.

The retail inflation in June, as released on Thursday, touched the 5 per cent mark, compared to 4.87 per cent in May, one of the reasons being the high fuel prices.

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Puducherry (PTI): Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday morning prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant as cyclonic storm Fengal is expected to make landfall near here later in the day.

District Collector A Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe.

"We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets," he said adding that National Disaster Relief Force from Arakonam has arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation works.

According to the official, cyclone Fengal was expected to cross the coast in the evening. Control rooms have been opened in the collectorate and also in the line departments.

Toll free numbers 112, 1077 and also WhatsApp number 94889 81070 have been put in place to help people facing crisis to contact for help.

Cyclone Fengal is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram coasts close to Puducherry, official sources said. The government has advised people to stay indoors.

The entire stretch of beach road and also several tourist spots were closed to ensure that there was no movement of the people near the sea shore.

Schools and colleges remained closed today.