After making landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, the severe Cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ has weakened into a deep depression, moving northwards after barreling into the Andhra Pradesh coast with wind speeds of 90-100 mph and leaving a trail of destruction behind.

The severe cyclonic storm made landfall between half past noon to 2.30 pm close to the south of Bapatla. Life was thrown out of gear in southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Both the states faced significant devastation as Cyclone Michaung made landfall.

Also Read:Cyclone Michaung: Eight killed as heavy rains, lightning batter Chennai

Due to the severe storm, Chennai faced heavy rainfall, power cuts, and loss of life. On Monday, the city and its adjoining districts faced relentless rains as Michaung loomed over the north coast of Tamil Nadu.

Impact on Andhra Pradesh:

1. Infrastructure Damage: The storm wreaked havoc, damaging 770 kilometers of roads and uprooting 35 trees. It also resulted in the loss of lives of cattlestock. Critical structures, including 78 huts, a cattle shed, and 232 houses, were adversely affected, with two houses being completely demolished.

2. Utilities and Irrigation: Utility infrastructure was significantly impacted, with 376 streetlights, 7.5 kilometers of roads, and 14 minor irrigation sources being damaged. Notably, power distribution facilities, including poles and feeders, suffered considerable damage, along with 14 minor irrigation sources in Tirupati.

3. Human Impact: Nearly 40 lakh people from 194 villages and two towns were affected by the cyclone. Although no official loss of life was reported, tragic incidents occurred, including the unfortunate demise of a four-year-old in Tirupati due to a collapsed hut wall.

4. Continuous Rainfall Effects: The severe cyclonic storm brought intense rainfall, with ten places—seven in Tirupati and three in Nellore—experiencing over 200 mm of rainfall on Tuesday. Manubolu in Nellore district recorded a staggering 366.5 mm of rainfall. This led to widespread inundation of standing crops, disrupted electricity supply, and waterlogged roads, severely affecting transportation.

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

Impact on Tamil Nadu, Chennai:

Cyclone Michaung also significantly impacted Chennai and surrounding districts in Tamil Nadu, claiming 17 lives and causing extensive damage.

  1. Fatalities and Flooding: The Greater Chennai police reported 17 deaths due to floods, including incidents of drowning and electrocution. Relentless rainfall brought life to a standstill in Chennai, causing fatalities and significant property damage.
  2. Waterlogging and Disruption: The city police closed 16 subways due to waterlogging, with uprooted trees removed at 69 locations. This resulted in severe traffic disruptions, halting day-to-day activities.
  3. Schools shut and Power Cuts: Schools and colleges in Chennai remained closed due to the cyclone’s impact. Though 80% power supply has been restored, many residents faced ongoing power cuts and mobile connectivity issues.