Current affairs

Cyclone Michaung: Chennai and its neighbours set to brace for heavy rainfall...Five things you should know!

By alagu, 02 December, 2023
Cyclone Michaung, Heavy rains, Chennai, Tamilnadu

The northern belt of the coastal districts in Tamil Nadu including Chennai and the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are on high alert as they brace up for the cyclonic storm Michaung that will make a landfall early next week. The system that's currently brewing over the Bay of Bengal and will intensify into a cyclonic storm by Sunday - December 3. 

In the wake of the cyclonic storm, the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and some parts of Odisha will witness heavy rainfall till December 5, during which the cyclone will make its landfall. Chennai has already been recording incessant downpours for a past few days and as the cyclonic storm is moving close to the shore, the spell of rainfall has been surging, sparking major disruptions across the city and its outskirts. 

On Saturday - December 2, parts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur had witnessed sporadic and heavy rainfall and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued heavy rainfall warnings to these coastal areas and the regional centre of IMD in Chennai had given a staunch instruction to the people not to venture out of the homes on December 4 and 5 unless there is an emergency. The warning had indicated severe implications brought by the cyclone.

Five things that you should know 

  • IMD on Saturday said that the depression brewing over the Bay of Bengal would likely to get intensified into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm by December 3. The press release said, "It is likely to intensify into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and further into a cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal by December 3. Thereafter, it would move northwestwards and reach near south Andhra Pradesh and adjourning north Tamil Nadu coasts by December 4 forenoon." 
  • The cyclonic activity in the sea will also lead to winds blowing at a speed of 45 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over the southeast Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. Afterward, the harsh wind situation is likely to decrease. 
  • IMD has also warned fisherfolk not to venture into the sea because of harsh sea conditions. Teams of NDRF and SDRF have been stationed near the coastal areas to carryout the rescue operations. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpet districts on Monday - December 4. 
  • According to reports, Cyclone Michaung is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh on December 5. Earlier, an 'orange' alert for moderate to heavy rainfall has been issued for the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. 
  • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has held high-level meetings and taken stock of the cyclone, its track, and has instructed the officials to take precautionary measures, including shifting people from the areas that would get impacted by the cyclone. The Greater Chennai Police had also issued advisory to the residents, stating, "If you are in Chennai or nearby areas, please take necessary precautions and follow the instructions of the local authorities." 
 

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