‘Cyclone Michaung’ Highlights: Landfall completes, storm weakens; Andhra Pradesh expects rainfall for next 24 hours

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Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Michaung’ became a weaker Cyclonic Storm at 3:30 PM IST and was located at 5:30 PM IST on December 5th over the south Coastal Andhra Pradesh, approximately 25 kilometers west-northwest of Bapatla and 60 kilometers north-northeast of Ongole. It’s expected to move mostly towards the north and become even weaker.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed resumption of train services in Chennai post cyclone Michaung :

1. Chennai Egmore – Chengalpattu route now running every 30 minutes.

2. Chennai Beach – Arakkonam route operating with a 45-minute frequency.

3. Tiruvottiyur – Sullurupeta route available hourly.

The cyclonic storm named ‘Michaung,’ previously located over the south coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, has moved northward in the last six hours. The most recent observation confirms that the storm has completed its landfall process. As of 3:30 PM IST today, it is positioned over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, approximately 20 kilometers west-southwest of Bapatla and 45 kilometers north-northeast of Ongole.

Severe storm ‘Michaung’ caused heavy rain in many places across Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

A strong storm named Cyclone Michaung hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday with really fast winds, about 70 mph. Before it arrived, heavy rain and floods caused nine deaths. Officials are now checking how much damage the storm caused.

The storm weakened a bit by Tuesday evening, but it still had strong winds, about 40-47 mph. This windy weather is expected to continue for the next six hours.

Andhra Pradesh might get a lot of rain, up to 200 mm (8 inches),over the next 24 hours because of the cyclone. Because of the storm, many trains and flights, around 140 trains and 40 flights,were canceled in Andhra Pradesh. Also, about 8,000 people had to leave their homes and go to safer places. (Reuters)

NDRF personnel deployed on Bapatla coast in Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Michuang made landfall “We have deployed 12 teams, which are ready for rescue operations,” Zahid Khan, Commandant NDRF stated.

On Cyclone Michaung, Scientist ‘E’ and in-charge IMD Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas stated, “Currently, the windspeed is 90-100 kmph. The cyclone is expected to weaken in the next few hours.” https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1731996590267842989

Andhra Pradesh government has set up helpline numbers in all affected districts as severe cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ crossed south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla district between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Tuesday with maximum gales of up to 90 – 100 km per hour speed. The helpline numbers are as follows:

Bapatla (8712655881), Guntur (0863 – 2234014), Krishna (08672 – 25272), NTR (0866 – 2575833), Chittoor (9491077356), Kadapa (08672 – 23272), Visakhapatnam (0891 – 2590100) and Tirupati (0877 – 2236007), among others.

The IMD has issued a flash flood warning for specific coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh until 11:30 am on December 6, which extends through tomorrow.

Areas with High Flash Flood Risk (>50%) include certain watersheds and neighbourhoods in the following coastal districts: Guntur, Prakasam, and Krishna.

Moderate Flash Flood Risk (between >20% and <50%) is predicted for selected watersheds and neighbourhoods within the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the next 24 hours. These include West Godavari, Guntur, Kurnool, Prakasam, and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, along with Nalgonda, Suryapet, Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Mahabubabad districts in Telangana.

Cyclone Michaung has disrupted many flights and train services across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. A total of 51 flights in all three major airports of Andhra Pradesh have been cancelled.Also, rail services were badly hit and over 100 trains were cancelled.

Rough sea, strong winds and heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla as Cyclone Michaung makes landfall. The Severe Cyclonic Storm crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to the south of Bapatla town from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm today, with 90-100 kmph wind speed.

In response to the heavy rains in Tamil Nadu caused by ‘ Michaung’ Cyclone DMK MP NR Elango stated, “It (Cyclone Michaung) has affected the normal life of people. But, from day before evening onwards, the CM of Tamil Nadu, ministers, sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, all the MLAs, corporation mayor are on the streets with the people. They saw to that there is no loss of life or no non-supply of essential commodities to the people.”

The Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to the south of Bapatla town from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm on December 5 with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph.

As per IMD’s latest update, the Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung made landfall near south Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM IST on December 5, with sustained wind speeds of 90-100 km/h. As of 2:30 PM IST, it was positioned around south coastal Andhra Pradesh, approximately 15 km southwest of Bapatla and 40 km northeast of Ongole at coordinates 15.8N latitude and 80.3E longitude. The system is expected to continue moving in a nearly northward direction and is anticipated to weaken into a Cyclonic Storm within the next two hours.

A dozen people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents in and around the city while personnel on fishing boats and farm tractors were engaged in rescuing stranded people on Tuesday, as the city faced relentless rains as the severe cyclonic storm Michaung loomed over the north coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.

A 60-year-old woman and a 48-year-old constable were among 12 people who lost their lives in the rain-related incidents, according to an official release.

Further detailing the DDRT’s measures, the official release mentioned the rescue of three individuals trapped when a makeshift generator room collapsed due to heavy rains. Additionally, three members of a family were safely evacuated after their house was submerged in water in Adyar. (PTI)

“It will have no impact on north India.Its impact is on Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Besides, it will have an indirect impact on northeastern states, Jharkhand and Bihar where light rainfall is expected,” IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated.

According to MM Ali, Meteorologist, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), “The landfall process has already started and will take around 2 hours to complete. NDRF and SDRF have been deployed, and all the necessary precautionary measures have been taken.”

High tide waves hit Bapatla as Cyclone Michaung is likely to make landfall shortly.

The severe cyclonic storm known as “Michaung” (pronounced Migjaum) moved northwards at a speed of 10 kmph over the westcentral Bay of Bengal, reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast. As of 1330 hours IST on December 5, 2023, it was centered near latitude 15.65°N and longitude 80.25°E, approximately 30 km southwest of Bapatla. With windspeeds ranging between 90-100 kmph and gusts up to 110 kmph, the storm is currently crossing the coast. The landfall process is expected to conclude within the next 2 hours.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) MICHAUNG, located at 12:30 IST on December 5th, is approximately 20 kilometers East-Northeast of Ongole and about 45 kilometers Southwest of Bapatla. It is expected to make landfall near Bapatla within the next two hours, carrying maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kilometers per hour. The landfall process has commenced and is anticipated to persist for the next three hours.

Andhra Pradesh government has taken several steps as cyclone Michaung makes landfall, the District Collector of Krishna stated, “The govt has instructed us to take all the measures, we have identified, the areas that are likely to be impacted by the storm…we have shifted the people from such places to relief camps…64 villages are more prone to the impact…as of now 3000 people have been shifted to relief camps and we have deployed SDRF and Police personnel in advance.. “

According to IMD’s update, the landfall process is continuing and likely to continue for next 3 hours.Till now about 9,500 individuals are housed across 211 relief camps.

During the review meeting, the CM assessed the storm’s impact and ongoing relief efforts in the affected regions. Relief programs are actively being carried out in these districts, with alert statuses issued to Collectors in Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, and other areas.

The CM instructed officials to ensure high-quality facilities in these camps and prevent any errors in their setup. Immediate measures were ordered to restore electricity in affected areas like Nellore and Tirupati.

CM stressed compensation to be provided within 48 hours for reported casualties and cattle loss. Enumeration activities are slated to commence post the cyclone’s subsiding. Additionally, efficient ration distribution through village, ward secretariat, and volunteer systems was directed by the CM.

Officials reported that the cyclone made landfall between Nellore and Kavali, with its remaining part moving towards the sea. In a meeting chaired by CM YC Jagan Mohan Reddy, they indicated the storm’s expected path towards Chirala-Bapatla. Since morning, there has been a gradual reduction in the cyclone’s impact in Tirupati and Nellore districts.

IMD issued warning, and suggested precautionary measures during thunderstorms & lightning :

1. Do not take shelter under isolated trees.

2. Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and outdoor watery areas (e.g. paddy transplantation).

3. Go indoors or seek safe pukka shelters after hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

4. In case no shelter is available, immediately get into the lightning crouch (a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground).

5. Do not use electric or electronic appliance.

6. During travel, stay inside the car, bus or train when a thunderstorm occurs.

7. Stay away from downed power lines.

As of 12.30 pm Indian Meteorological Department has issued a current district and station-wise nowcast warnings for December 5.

India Meteorological Department has stated that severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Michaung’ will cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla during the next 4 hours with a maximum speed of 90-100 kilometres per hour. Taking it to X IMD posted, “Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung will cross South Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla during next 4 hours at 0830 hrs on December 5 near South Andhra Pradesh coast, Latitude 15.2degN, Longitude 80.25degE, with a maximum speed of 90-100 kmph. Wind speed can reach 110 km per hour.”

According to the IMD’s latest update, the Severe Cyclonic storm “Michaung” lays over WC Bay of Bengal along off south Andhra Pradesh coast lay centered at 1030 IST of December 5, 2023 near Latitude 15.35°N and Longitude 80.25°E, about 25 km East – southeast of ongole. (Image:IMD)

Several parts of Chennai witnessed severe waterlogging due to incessant rainfall caused due to ‘Michaung’ Cyclone.

Amid destruction caused by Cyclone ‘Michaung’ CM MK Stalin on Monday stated that the destruction caused, followed by heavy rains is less compared to past times in Tamil Nadu. He said, “Even after receiving heavy rains, the damages are less compared to previous times. The rains received during Cyclone Michaung exceeded the rain we received in 2015.”