Cyclone Michaung Landfall In Andhra Shortly, State On High Alert. Rainfall Subsides In Chennai: Top Updates

Cyclone Michaung will make landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh today forenoon and the state has been put on high alert. IMD has also issued heavy rain warnings in five states.

Vehicles stuck at a locality flooded due to heavy rain owing to Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai. ( Image Source :PTI )

Severe cyclone storm 'Michaung' is expected to make landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon on Tuesday. The wind is likely to be gusting with a maximum sustained speed of 90-100 kmph to 110 kmph, according to a bulletin of the India Met Department (IMD). 

IMD said that the storm surge of about 1-1.5 metre above astronomical tide is likely to inundate south Coastal Andhra Pradesh districts at the time of landfall. As for the latest, the cyclonic storm over West central Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamilnadu coasts moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0230 hours IST of 5 Dec, 2023.

"...about 20 km north-northeast of Nellore, 170 km north of Chennai, 150 km south of Bapatla and 210 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam.As the system is nearly moving northwards close to coast, some parts of the wall cloud region lies over land," the IMD said.

"It is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon of 5th December as a Severe Cyclonic Storm," it added.

 

Here Are Some Key Updates On Cyclone Michaung

• Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed officials to be on high alert for taking up relief measures. In view of the cyclonic storm, the severe cyclonic storm, the state government issued an alert for eight districts -- Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada. "Special officers have been appointed for all cyclone-affected districts, besides releasing Rs 2 crore each for rescue and relief works. The special officers will work in close coordination with the collectors and, if more funds are needed, the government will comply with the request," Reddy said in a release.
• Rain warning has also been issued in five states. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is expected in North Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and coastal Andhra Pradesh. IMD said that exceptionally heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places over north coastal and adjoining south coastal Andhra Pradesh. 
• Light to moderate rainfall is likely to increase becoming light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Telangana on Tuesday. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy rainfall likely over south Coastal and adjoining south Interior Odisha.
• Gale wind speed reaching 85-95 kmph gusting to 105 kmph is prevailing around the center and is likely to continue for next 6 hours and gradually decrease thereafter. The wind speed will gradually increase becoming 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph on December 5 around noon.
• IMD said high sea conditions prevailed on Dec 4 and will become very rough to rough thereafter on Tuesday morning. The weatherman warned that major damage is likely to thatched houses and huts and roof tops may blow off. It added that trees could uproot and there could be minor damage to communication lines as well. Fishing operation has been suspended completely in the coastal areas in view of the storm.
• Areas on the outskirts of Chennai are heavily inundated. Authorities say it will take two days to get back to normal. They said around 70 per cent of the city is out of power and the internet connection is also very weak. 
• According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, the severe cyclonic storm is currently 80 km to Nellore, 80 km to Bapatla, and 140 km to Machilipatnam.It will cross the coast near Bapatla before noon. The officials have asked people to be more alert.