Cyclone Michaung is expected to reach the coast of Andhra Pradesh shortly, with eight casualties reported in Chennai.
Cyclone Michaung, currently in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to reach the Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla after bringing heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu. The rain has already led to eight fatalities in Chennai.
Anticipated is a storm surge, ranging from 1 to 1.5 meters, that is poised to flood the low-lying regions of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, particularly impacting the Bapatla and Krishna districts. The cyclone is projected to hit land as a severe cyclonic storm, featuring a maximum sustained wind speed ranging from 90 to 100 km per hour, with gusts reaching up to 110 km per hour.
An alert has been issued by the government of Andhra Pradesh for eight districts, including Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada. In Puducherry, Section 144 has been implemented in coastal areas, restricting movement until 6 pm.
The Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has instructed officials to consider the approaching storm a significant challenge, emphasizing the importance of preventing any loss of life or property. The forecast predicts strong winds with gales reaching speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour.
Mr. Reddy announced the appointment of dedicated officers for every district impacted by cyclones, along with the allocation of ₹2 crore each for rescue and relief efforts. Evacuations have been carried out for residents in low-lying regions, and more than 300 relief camps have been established to provide shelter.
On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated with the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry, assuring them of complete support from the Central government. He mentioned that the National Disaster Response Force has been deployed sufficiently, with additional teams prepared to provide further aid.
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the Director General of the India Meteorological Department, cautioned that coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh can expect exceedingly intense rainfall, with some regions experiencing exceptionally heavy precipitation ranging from 30 to 40 cm.
A severe cyclonic storm has the potential to result in the uprooting of small and medium-sized trees, significant damage to hutments and mud houses, and partial destruction of telephone and electric poles. Although the rain has ceased in Chennai, a majority of the city remains submerged, particularly in low-lying areas. The weather office has indicated that Tamil Nadu and Puducherry can expect light to moderate rainfall in most locations today.
Chennai airport has resumed its operations this morning following the grounding of planes yesterday due to rainwater entering the runway. Officials have announced that the airport will prioritize departures to alleviate the situation of stranded passengers at the airport.
The Odisha government has taken precautionary measures by dispatching rescue teams to the southern districts. Coastal and southern district collectors are on high alert, and fishermen are cautioned against going out to sea due to challenging sea conditions.
