Cars underwater, flights cancelled… How Cyclone Michaung is wreaking havoc in Chennai

It’s raining cats and dogs and even crocodiles in Chennai and other parts of south India as Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal is hurtling towards Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu coasts.

According to the Indian weather agency, the cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam on 5 December with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph as a severe cyclonic storm. The system could result in heavy rains in most parts of southern Odisha and coastal region of the state, it said.

On Sunday, even as the BJP celebrated its thumping victories in the Hindi heartland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned countrymen amid approaching Cyclone Michaung, saying that he was in constant touch with the governments of states on the eastern coast to coordinate relief and rescue efforts. He urged BJP workers in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh to join the relief and rescue efforts and support the local administration.

Let’s take a closer look at all things Cyclone Michaung – from its name, to its impact and much more.

What’s in a name?

The cyclone has been named Michaung – meaning strength and resilience – after Myanmar provided the suggestion. Cyclone Michuang is the fourth Bay of Bengal cyclonic storm and the sixth cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean in 2023.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam on 5 December and likely to cause heavy rains in most parts of southern Odisha and the coastal region of the state.

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Giving an idea about the trajectory of the storm, the IMD said that it would begin northwestward movement, intensifying further and reaching the west-central Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by 4 December morning. From there, the storm is expected to move almost northward, parallel to and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, making landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam on 5 December.

How destructive has Cyclone Michuang been?

Barrelling towards the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the cyclone has drenched the city of Chennai and three neighbouring districts with extremely heavy rains since Sunday evening.

As per data provided, Chennai city has already recorded an average rainfall of 12 cm in 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Monday, with some areas receiving 20 to 22 cm of rainfall.

The rain has caused severe waterlogging in the city with the Greater Chennai Police stating that 14 subways had been closed owing to the heavy rains and trees had fallen in at least six locations causing damage.

As a result of the heavy rains, schools, colleges, and government offices in Chennai and three adjoining districts are shut today. The Madras High Court has also declared a holiday for all courts in Chennai today due to incessant rain. Principal district judges in the neighbouring districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpet and Tiruvallur have also been asked to take a call a depending upon the situation in their districts.

At many places in Chennai, cars could be seen floating in the water owing to the inundation of water on the roads.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A car was seen stuck in the massive waterlogging in Chennai's Velachery and Pallikaranai areas, caused due to heavy rainfall

(Video source: A local present at the site of the incident) pic.twitter.com/Lvl9MJnw0N

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023

Several areas in the city have also experienced power outage and internet disruption as torrential rains accompanied by squally winds continued to lash the region.

The heavy rain has also resulted in the cancellation of six trains departing from Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station, including those bound for Coimbatore and Mysuru. The Southern Railway has announced that all passengers affected by the train cancellations will receive full refunds.

Moreover, Chennai airport operations were also suspended for a few hours with as many as 70 flights arriving to and departing from the airport being cancelled owing to non-stop rains. The runway and tarmac also remain shut.

Chennai Airport #CycloneMichaung Brutally smashing credits Nandakumar pic.twitter.com/mIjNLehYRG

— MasRainman (@MasRainman) December 4, 2023

According to an India Today report, two people have also died and one person was injured after a newly constructed wall collapsed at Kanathur in Chennai on Monday morning due to heavy rain and gusty winds.

And if this wasn’t bad enough, there were also videos being circulated of a crocodile spotted on a road in Chennai on Sunday night. The reptile was found in the Perungalathur area of the city and was seen crawling on the side before disappearing into the bushes.

Crocodile in Perungalathur 😳 pic.twitter.com/sqNAQ7wyvD

— Ayyappan (@Ayyappan_1504) December 3, 2023

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been also been deployed in the city, with officials helping to evacuate people from the inundated areas. Additionally, the state government has requisitioned 400 private marriage halls to provide shelter for those affected by the cyclone weather conditions. Emergency food supplies are being prepared, with provisions for 10,000 people currently ready in Avadi area. Additional 25,000 meals are also to be made available shortly in Chennai city.

What precautions are being taken?

In light of Cyclone Michaung making a landfall on 5 December, the authorities have taken precautions and measures to minimise damage. A holiday has been declared in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts on Monday and people have been urged to stay at home and not venture out if possible.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Balachandran, Chennai Regional Metrology Director says, "Cyclone 'Michaung' lies about 100 km from East-North East of Chennai. In the last 6 hours, it has moved at the speed of 10 km/hr and it's expected to move in the northwest direction, intensified to… pic.twitter.com/awRtcSiV8A

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023

Furthermore, 14 teams from the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force, comprising 350 personnel, and nine teams from the National Disaster Response Force, consisting of 225 personnel, have been stationed in coastal regions for relief and rescue operations. A whopping 1,500 electricity workers have been placed on standby, and a stock of over 3,00,000 electricity poles has been made available.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to take stock of the preparations in light of Cyclone Michaung and assured all help. He also instructed all top officials to ensure all possible help is extended.

With inputs from agencies