Big impact around 12 noon on December 5
The Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam bears a deserted look on December 5 as Michaung makes its way to south Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh is bracing for the impact of Cyclonic storm Michaung, slated to make landfall near Bapatla on December 5 at noon. This marks the first such occurrence in two years, since Cyclone Gulab hit the coast in September 2021. Michaung is expected to bring severe cyclonic conditions, with sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kilometres per hour (kmph), gusting to 110 kmph.
Tragedy struck in Chennai as the cyclone unleashed heavy rain, claiming at least eight lives in rain-related incidents on December 4. The downpour submerged large parts of the city, disrupting transport and air carrier services. In response to the impending threat, an orange alert was issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) for Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.
Chennai and its neighbouring districts faced inundation due to relentless rains, prompting heightened alerts in districts like Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy convened a review meeting with senior officials on December 4, initiating various relief efforts.
The cyclonic system, located over the west-central Bay of Bengal off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 10 kmph. As of 9 am on December 5, it centered 20 km east-northeast of Kavali, 40 km north-northeast of Nellore, 70 km south-southwest of Bapatla, 90 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam, and 230 km north of Chennai.
As Cyclone Michaung veered away from Chennai and approached the Andhra Pradesh coast, there was a noticeable reduction in rainfall in the city. The severe cyclonic storm is anticipated to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, with Bapatla identified as a potential landing site.
Chennai faced extensive flooding, causing damage to over 600 private and an equal number of public vehicles. Most affected were cars parked in low-lying areas such as Mylapore, Nandanam, and Velachery. Stormwater drains in at least 10 locations witnessed cars being swept away in the floodwaters.
In its trajectory, Cyclone Michaung is expected to impact Jharkhand, with parts of the state likely to experience light to moderate rainfall until December 7. The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has forecasted light rain in certain pockets on Tuesday, followed by light to moderate showers on December 6 and 7.
The temple town of Tirupathi got copious rains in the wee hours of December 5. It received 200 mm of rains in the last 12 hours, submerging the town. The Tirumala temple had no visitors due to the bus services being suspended on December 5.
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