Cyclone Michaung: Chennai, nearby districts lashed by over 25 cms of rain; airport arrivals closed for 14 hrs

The Southern Indian city of Chennai and its adjoining districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur have been witnessing very heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the last 12 hours, owing to the impact of Cyclone Michaung, in the Bay of Bengal.

According to Dr Balachandran, Head, Regional Meteorological Centre (under the Indian Meteorological Department), Chennai, the cyclonic storm lay around 100 kms East-northeast of Chennai and it is expected to move Northwest direction and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm around Monday (Dec 4) noon.

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Dr Balachandran added that the storm will move parallel to the coast of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast. It is expected to cross between Nellore and Machilipatnam around Tuesday noon. He warned that heavy rainfall and strong winds in Chennai and adjoining districts are to continue well until Monday night, urging residents to undertake necessary precautions.

Many parts of Chennai and adjoining districts have received around 25 cm of rainfall, thereby causing severe water logging and water entering homes in low-lying areas. Since Sunday evening, the rainfall has been continuous, with very few breaks and gusty winds of speeds ranging between 40 kmph to 85 kmph.

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Multiple teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are deployed across Chennai and adjoining districtsto carry out search and rescue when the need arises. Primarily, the NDRF has been evacuating people to safety from low-lying areas where water has entered homes.

While there are multiple instances of water logging on arterial roads and residential areas, there is no overall risk of flooding (due to overflow) from the major reservoirs that supply water to Chennai and nearby areas. Authorities have constantly been releasing excess water from the reservoirs in a controlled manner. As of Sunday, based on data from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Chembarambakkam Reservoir is at 76 per cent capacity, Thervoy Kandigai Reservoir is at 97 per cent capacity, and Puzhal Reservoir is at 84 per cent capacity. However, there is the risk of localised flooding in low-lying areas and those near smaller bodies, where the outflow of water is not regulated.

Chennai arrivals closed for over12 hours

With Chennai city having borne a significant impact of the cyclone, the city airport has been shut for 14hoursfor arrivals.

Operated by the Airport Authority of India, the Chennai airport announced the suspension of arrival operations on Mondayfrom 9:17 amuntil 11:30 pm (local time).