Cyclone Michaung: The Chennai Meteorological Centre forecasted moderate rain, light thunderstorms, and lightning for ten districts in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday morning. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are on high alert due to the approaching severe Cyclone Michaung, causing heavy rains and thunderstorms in the last 24 hours.
Authorities are closely monitoring the cyclone’s movement and its potential impact. The storm has already led to five fatalities and one injury in various incidents across Chennai. Strong winds uprooted numerous trees, causing disruption and waterlogging in many areas, impacting daily life.
Unfortunately, Chennai reported eight rain-related deaths, including cases of electrocution and fatalities from falling trees in upscale areas like Besant Nagar. Media showed flooded streets with floating cars and even a crocodile navigating the waterlogged city, causing knee-deep water in several places and ongoing power outages since morning.
The Chennai airport suspended arrival and departure services due to waterlogging and adverse weather. However, operations resumed at 9 am. As Cyclone Michaung heads towards Bapatla on the Andhra Pradesh coast, it brings back memories of the catastrophic floods of December 2015, which claimed at least 290 lives.
What are other cyclones named?
Below are the names of future cyclones to be assigned by member countries:
Biparjoy- Bangladesh
Tej- India
Hamoon- Iran
Midhili- Maldives
Michaung- Myanmar
Remal- Oman
Asna- Pakistan
Dana- Qatar
Fengal- Saudi Arabia
Shakhti- Sri Lanka
Montha- Myanmar
Senyar- United Arab Emirates
Ditwah- Yemen
How are tropical cyclones named?
Tropical cyclones are named to aid quick identification in warning messages. The World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) is responsible for this task. Initially, storms were named arbitrarily, but meteorologists opted for an alphabetical list for identification.
For the Atlantic and the Southern Hemisphere (Indian Ocean and South Pacific), a group of 13 countries selects neutral names for cyclones in the region. The naming sequence begins with Bangladesh, then India, Iran, Maldives, and Myanmar. Subsequently, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen follow suit in naming cyclones in the region.