Today, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are under the ominous shadow of Cyclone Michaung, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a heavy rainfall warning. As a precautionary measure, schools in the affected regions have been closed, highlighting the urgency of preparedness in the face of nature’s force.
In anticipation of Cyclone Michaung, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Monday warning for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in numerous locations across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The warning spans districts including Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and others, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness.
Chennai MeT Department issues rain thunderstorm warning and lightning warning for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the next three hours: IMD pic.twitter.com/5X5ZekqPa4
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2023
The weather agency has cautioned that waterlogging, slippery roads, adverse traffic conditions, and minor damage to loosely secured structures may occur. This underscores the importance of staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions in the affected areas.
Responding to severe waterlogging following heavy rainfall in Chennai on Monday night, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams actively rescued approximately 15 individuals from the Tambaram area near Peerkankaranai and Perungalathur.
Anticipating heavy rainfall in the coming days due to Cyclone Michaung, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are bracing for adverse weather conditions.
In response to the weather warning, Tamil Nadu has declared a public holiday, and suburban train services in all Chennai Suburban sections have been temporarily halted until 8 am on Monday, as reported by ANI. The Southern Railway specified that only Passenger Specials will be in operation in these sections until further advice.
“Only Passenger Specials will be operated in these sections until further advice,” said southern railways.
By the forenoon of December 4, Cyclone Michaung was anticipated to make landfall in the west-central Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu | National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams rescued around 15 people from the Tambaram area near Peerkankaranai and Perungalathur due to severe waterlogging after heavy rainfall in the city: NDRF pic.twitter.com/nAm1Kj0atw
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023
Current update of cyclone michaung
According to the latest IMD bulletin, Cyclone Michaung is currently positioned about 210 km east-northeast of Puducherry, 150 km east-southeast of Chennai, 250 km southeast of Nellore, 360 km south-southeast of Bapatla, and 380 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam. The weather agency predicts its trajectory to continue moving north-northwestwards, intensifying further, and reaching the Westcentral Bay of Bengal off the coasts of south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu by the forenoon of December 4.
Subsequently, the cyclone is expected to move nearly northwards, running almost parallel and in close proximity to the south Andhra Pradesh coast. It is forecasted to cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of December 5 as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, boasting a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.
“It is likely to continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach Westcentral Bay Of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamilnadu coasts by December 4 forenoon, thereafter, it would move nearly northwards almost parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of 5th December as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” said the weather agency.
What is up with PM Modi?
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assessed the preparations for cyclone ‘Michaung,’ slated to hit the east coast state, by engaging in a conversation with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Directing top officials, the prime minister emphasized the importance of providing all conceivable assistance to the state. Simultaneously, the IMD issued advice, urging fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea during this period. Those currently at sea were advised to return to the coast by Sunday.
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