The cyclone may weaken after crossing the coast, according to the Meteorological centre, Amaravati
Cyclone Michaung made landfall at 1.55 pm at Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh, about 70 kilometres from Nellore. The exact landfall spot has been identified as a town called Kavali.
Michaung is the first cyclone to cross the coast in two years since Cyclone Gulab in September 2021. Anticipated to reach severe cyclonic levels, Michaung boasts a maximum sustained speed of 90-100 kilometres per hour (kmph), with gusts reaching up to 110 kmph.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts on December 4. The cyclone’s impact has prompted the evacuation of nearly 9,000 residents from villages along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh, with 21 cyclone shelters established in Bapatla district, according to Bapatla district superintendent of police Vakul Jindal.
The severe cyclonic storm “Michaung” (pronounced as Migjaum) over west-central Bay of Bengal along and off the south Andhra Pradesh coast will cross the coast in two hours.
Tidal waves increased and sea weather changed drastically, as the landfall started. Heavy rainfall was reported at Bapatla and nearby area, with winds speed of 90-100 kmph.
The cyclone may weaken after crossing the coast, according to the Meteriological centre, Amaravati.
Visakhapatnam Airport will remains operational on December 4 and 5, ready to handle diversions or emergency landings, as communicated by S Raja Reddy, the airport director. Once weather conditions improve, the airport will resume its crucial runway resurfacing work.
The airport had previously undertaken scheduled runway resurfacing works starting November 16, leading to the suspension of flight services from 9 pm to 8 am.
Over the last two days, Cyclone Michaung has wreaked havoc, causing disruptions to various train and flight services in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. In Visakhapatnam, all IndiGo flight services were halted on December 4 and 5 due to adverse weather conditions.
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