Michaung now a severe cyclone, headed for Andhra coast; rains continue to lash Chennai

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) saidCyclone Michuang in the Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay around 90kms north-northeast of Chennai city, as of Monday noon.

Over the next 24 hours, it is expected to move northwards towards the Andhra Pradesh Coast. The extremely heavy rains caused by the cyclone have brought life to a standstill in Chennai city, where the airport is shut for 14 hours on Monday (until 11:30 pm). Allarterial roads in the city have been flooded, and train services are badly affected. Waterlogging inlow-lying areas have forced evacuation effort by the authorities.

According to Dr Balachandran, Head of the RMC, Chennai, the severe cyclonic storm is predicted to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam regions in Andhra Pradesh. The landfall could happen around Bapatla, on Tuesday.

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He added that widespread rainfall has occurred over the North Tamil Nadu coastal districts, which include Chennai city and adjoining regions. Elaborating on the quantum of rainfall, he said that 15 locations have recorded heavy rainfall, 59 locations have recorded very heavy rainfall and 21 locations have witnessed extremely heavy rains. Wind speeds near the Chennai airport clocked 88 kmph, while the wind speeds at the core city area clocked 71 kmph, he said.

In the forecast for Chennai and adjoining districts, he said that heavy to extremely heavy rainfall would continue to lash the region, with winds gusting up to 70 kmph.

Rescue and evacuation operations are underway at multiple localities in Chennai and adjoining districts, with the civic authorities, Police and the National Disaster Response Force, carrying out their respective duties. The Indian Army's 12 Madras Unit has also been deployed for evacuating personnel via boats, from waterlogged residential areas.

The Indian Army commenced flood relief operations, following a critical plea by the Chennai civic body, the Greater Chennai Corporation. The request was made to the Army, owing to an immediate requirement to rescue stranded residents from areas near water bodies. Two columns from the Indian Army Pallavaram Camp, operating under the Dakshin Bharat Area are carrying out the efforts. Comprising more than 120 personnel, the Army columns are equipped with boats, essential resources, flood relief stores, and heavy vehicles to navigate the inundated areas and provide aid. At the time of writing, the Army has rescued and rendered assistance to nearly 300 people.