Cyclonic storm Michaung made landfall near the town of Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon, unleashing torrential rains and gusty winds across the southern coast. The cyclone, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, is expected to persist until December 7, after which it will likely transform into a deep depression.
The meteorological department has issued severe warnings, forecasting more than 200 mm (8 inches) of rain in parts of Andhra Pradesh over the next 24 hours. In anticipation of the storm’s fury, over 9,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas.
Eight casualties have been reported in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, due to rain-related incidents. The city experienced heavy downpours triggered by Cyclone Michaung, resulting in widespread flooding. Floodwaters submerged a runway, leading to the closure of the airport, and several cars were swept away in the deluge.
The Odisha government has taken precautionary measures, ordering the closure of all schools on December 6 in anticipation of heavy rainfall caused by the cyclonic storm.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured support from the Central government, confirming that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is already deployed in Andhra Pradesh, with additional teams on standby. In a social media post, Shah mentioned his discussion with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, emphasizing the government’s commitment to citizen safety.
The Indian Railways has activated emergency measures, setting up control cells at the divisional and headquarters levels to monitor and manage railway operations in areas likely to be affected by Cyclone Michaung.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, taking stock of the situation on Monday, inquired about the damage caused by the heavy showers and assessed ongoing relief and rescue operations. Chennai witnessed severe disruptions in daily life, with extensive waterlogging affecting various parts of the city, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, and areas around the Omandurar government multispecialty hospital. The city’s iconic Marina Beach was flooded, and roads connecting Mount Road to Marina Beach were blocked due to severe waterlogging.
(Inputs from ANI)