Two people were killed while one was critically injured after a newly constructed wall collapsed due to heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds in Chennai on Monday morning, said Kanathur police, reported ANI. The incident took place in the city's Kanathur area, East Coastal Road on Monday morning, the police said, adding the deceased are the residents of Jharkhand. Further investigation into the matter is underway, they added.
India Meteorological Department has predicted moderate thunderstorms and lightning with moderate rain, and intense spells at times at many places over Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts of Tamil Nadu in the next three hours.
A few other places that are likely to receive moderate thunderstorm and lightning with moderate rain inlcude: Ranippettai, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurichy, Vellore, Thirupattur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri Salem, Namakkal, Thiruchirapalli, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
With cyclone Michaung (pronounced as migjaum) approached Tamil Nadu coast, heavy rainfalls have inundated Chennai and other parts of the state throwing normal life out of gear.
The rainfalls have triggered massive waterlogging in the city and uprootes trees. The rainwater has also entered residential areas and has also affected train schedules with several delays and cancellation.
In a statement on Monday, the IMD said, "Cyclonic Storm Michaung lay centered over Westcentral & adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts at 0530 hrs on 4th December."
"Likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify & cross between Nellore and Machilipatnam close to Bapatla during forenoon of 5th December as Super Cyclonic Storm," it added.
The name Michaung was suggested by Myanmar and it means strength or resilience.