Cyclone Michaung's landfall begins in Andhra, around 9000 people evacuated

Cyclone Michaung's landfall process began in Andhra Pradesh shortly after noon on Tuesday and is likely to continue for the next 3 hours, the Indian Meteorological Department said. Around 9,450 people have been evacuated to safety till now.

"The system is likely to move nearly northwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla during the next 2 hours as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110. The landfall process is continuing and likely to continue for the next 3 hours," the IMD forecasted.

"The severe cyclonic storm "MICHAUNG" over the west-central Bay of Bengal along and off south Andhra Pradesh coast moved northwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 1130 hours ist of 5th December, 2023 over the same region near latitude 15.45°n and longitude 80.25°e, about 20 km east of Ongole, 50 km south-southwest of Bapatla, 70 km north-northeast of Kavali, 110 km north-northeast of Nellore, and 120 km southwest of Machilipatnam," IMD added.


At least twelve people have lost their lives while multiple roads and subways are closed due to waterlogging in the wake of the cyclone.

The police said that many families including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens were rescued from different areas who were stuck due to wreak havoc of Cyclone Michaung.

Meanwhile, Chennai airport, one of the busiest airports in the country resumed operations on Tuesday morning after being shut for hours due to adverse weather conditions.

"Traffic has been closed on Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to the release of water from the Puzhal Lake," police said.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday morning inspected the Cyclone affected areas in the state. The Tamil Nadu CM inspected the rain relief camp set up in Kannapar Thital, Chennai. There are 162 relief centres in which 43 are operated accommodating 2477 Chennai residents. There are 20 kitchens operational providing food to these relief centres.

(With agency inputs)