Cyclone Michaung
Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD said that it is a severe cyclone storm which lies 90km northeast of Chennai. “It will move parallel to the Andhra Pradesh coast. The windspeed along Andra Pradesh will become 90-100kmph from today. We have given fishermen to not venture into the sea till Dec 6. Red alert issued for north coastal TN and AP & Yanam,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu government on December 4 has announced the closure of educational institutions, government offices, banks in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts tomorrow as heavy rains continued to pound Chennai and nearby districts under the impact of Cyclone ‘Michaung’.
Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD said that it is a severe cyclonic storm which lies 90km northeast of Chennai. “It will move parallel to the Andhra Pradesh coast. The windspeed along Andra Pradesh will become 90-100kmph from today. We have given fishermen to not venture into the sea till Dec 6. Red alert issued for north coastal TN and AP & Yanam,” he said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on December 4 in various parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry due to the impact of the cyclone.
Moreover, thirty three flights from Chennai were diverted to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). According to officials of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) that operates KIA, both domestic as well as international flights including that of Indigo, SpiceJet, Etihad, Lufthansa and Gulf Air were diverted to the city from Chennai, where many flights have also been cancelled.
Here are the top developments of Cyclone Michaung:
— IMD said cyclone Michuang will cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam close to Bapatla during the forenoon of Dec 5 as ‘severe cyclonic storm’
–Authorities in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Tamil Nadu were on high alert for damage, evacuating thousands of people living in coastal areas, officials in both states said, with warnings issued for fishermen not to venture out into the sea.
–Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said around 181 relief camps have been set up in 8 districts of the state.
–The Chennai airport was also forced to suspend operations due to heavy rains. The runway and tarmac also remain shut due to waterlogging, the Airport Authority of India said.
Watch | Chennai hit by heavy rains; cars swept away, airport shut down. Videos
–Services such milk supply, water supply, hospitals, power, hotels and offices engaged in disaster response, relief, and rescue activities are instructed to operate as usual, a government order said.
–The state government has requested private companies to permit their employees to work from home.
Watch | Cyclone Michaung: Airport to remain shut, streets flooded as rain batters Chennai
–In Andhra Pradesh, authorities had evacuated nearly 7,000 people in eight coastal districts and were preparing to evacuate a total of 28,000, depending on the cyclone’s path and severity.
Here are the measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government:
- The Tamil Nadu government, in an official statement on Monday, declared the closure of all educational institutions in Chennai on Tuesday due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
- The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has taken precautionary measures, cancelling a total of 60 trains within its jurisdiction. Additionally, ECoR has activated a Crisis Management Cell to closely monitor the developments associated with Cyclone Michaung. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), ECoR Ashoka Kumar Mishra said, “The ECoR is providing a round-the-clock helpline number for information or assistance for the convenience of passengers. It has intensified patrolling at vulnerable locations by deputing patrolmen and watchmen. Additional Control Room and Disaster Management Cell will be opened at Divisional Headquarters. 60 trains have been cancelled in ECoR Jurisdiction ahead of Cyclone Michaung.”
- Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bangalore experienced a surge in activity on Monday after 33 flights from Chennai — domestic and international carriers such as Indigo, SpiceJet, Etihad, Lufthansa, and Gulf Air — were diverted to KIA. The move came as the Chennai airport grappled with severe weather conditions, leading to the closure of arrival and departure operations until 11 pm on Monday. In light of non-stop rains, a total of 70 flights to and from the Chennai airport were cancelled.
- Chief Minister MK Stalin, addressing the residents of Tamil Nadu, issued a plea for them to remain indoors until the storm subsides. Personally taking charge of the situation, the Chief Minister inspected the control room to evaluate its preparedness for managing the cyclone.
- The 12 Madras Unit of the Indian Army is undertaking rescue operations in the Mugalivakkam and Manapakkam areas of Chennai, responding to the impact of intense rainfall and extensive waterlogging.
- The Tamil Nadu government called upon private companies and establishments in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts to enable work-from-home arrangements for their employees on Tuesday, considering the expected heavy rains and potential consequences.