Cyclone Michaung Likely to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, IMD issues Red Alert in Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh

Digital Desk, NE Post: The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal turned into a severe cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ at 8:30 AM on Monday (December 4), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. 

The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall near Bapatla on Tuesday (December 5) at around 12 pm. 

"Yesterday’s Cyclonic Storm MICHAUNG moved northwestwards and intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm and lay centered at 0830 hours IST of 4th December, 2023 over Westcentral & adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts near Latitude 13.3°N and Longitude 81.0°E, about 90 km east-northeast of Chennai, 170 km southeast of Nellore, 200 km northeast of Puducherry, 300 km south-southeast of Bapatla and 320 km south of Machilipatnam," IMD said in a bulletin on Monday.

"It is likely to intensify gradually and move nearly northwards almost parallel & close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during forenoon of 5th December as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph," it added.

IMD predicetd heavy rainfall in most parts of Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha. 

A red alert warning has been issued for all the coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh along the South coast of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining districts of North Tamil Nadu.

Upon directions of the state government, all schools in Andhra Pradesh were closed on Monday. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in four districts – Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Kancheepuram.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in Chennai led to severe waterlogging in parts of Chennai and neighbouring areas. 

The Heavy spell of rain throughout the night has caused waterlogging in the state due to which traffic jams were witnessed in several parts of the city. 

The Chennai airfield has been closed for arrival and departure operations in Chennai till 11 pm on Monday due to the harsh weather conditions in the city.

At least 11 trains from Chennai Central were cancelled on Monday after the water level reached the danger mark at Bridge No. 14 between Vyasarpadi and Basin Bridge owing to heavy rainfall.