After days of destruction in Chennai and other regions in Tamil Nadu, cyclone Michaung has now made landfall and is moving near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh with over 13,000 people already evacuated from the coastal regions in both states after NDRF launched massive operation because of the storm. The severe cyclonic storm is expected to pound five states under its influence with heavy rains, and lightning as it moves ahead. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate to heavy and very heavy rainfall at several places in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Puducherry.
The weatherman has issued a red alert for the coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and is likely to get extremely heavy rainfall. "Stay safe and take all necessary precautions," the IMD said.
The winds will blow at high speed reaching up to 110 kmph, the weatherman said. Earlier, Mohsen Shahidi, DIG, NDRF said that the severe cyclonic storm would make a landfall between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm on Tuesday and therefore a massive evacuation operation was launched.
"In Tamil Nadu, 6,000 people have been evacuated. Meanwhile, 7,000 people have been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh," he said.
Chennai witnessed torrential rain due to cyclone Michaung which led to massive flooding on roads disrupting daily life. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said Chennai received more rain than the 2015 floods, but added that the damages were less as compared to similar situations in the past. Addressing a press conference after the cyclone wreaked havoc in Chennai and adjoining districts, Stalin said the 2015 floods were manmade and this time it was a natural flood.