In Graphics | How cyclones form and their devastating impact

The cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ is wreaking havoc in Chennai. The city is experiencing heavy rainfall and at least five have been left dead. The storm intensified to a severe cyclonic storm at 8:30 am on Monday, about 90 km east-northeast of Chennai. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)  warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesdayin north-coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Light to moderate rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, is expected. Public life was severely affected in Chennai due to heavy rains lashing several parts of the city. Several areas, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas, were left inundated due to the persistent heavy rainfall. Chennai’s popular Marina Beach was flooded due to heavy downpours, and the roads from Mount Road to Marina Beach were blocked due to severe waterlogging. The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts on Tuesday, given the cyclone. But how do cyclones form? And how much damage can they do? Let’s take a closer look at the devastation it can unleash: