Cyclone Michaung: 9,500 people evacuated as extremely heavy rain batters Andhra

CM Reddy Tuesday held a review meeting to inquire about the impact of the storm and assess the current situation, where officials informed that the cyclone made landfall between Nellore and Kavali, with the remaining part moving towards the sea. They explained to the Chief Minister that the storm is expected to cross the coast, hitting Chirala-Bapatla.

Meanwhile, a gradual reduction in the cyclone’s impact in Tirupati and Nellore districts since morning is noted and urgent measures were ordered to restore the electricity supply system in cyclone-affected areas, including Nellore and Tirupati, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The CM has emphasised the need to provide compensation within 48 hours for any casualties and cattle loss reported. Enumeration activities were also instructed to commence once the storm subsides. Officials have been directed to efficiently distribute ration using the village, ward secretariat, and volunteer system.

Low-lying areas have been inundated, while the seashore is witnessing rising water levels under the influence of the cyclone. Severe power outages and disruptions in cell phone and internet connectivity are being reported even as the uprooting of trees and electric lamp posts are widely seen.

Train, road and air connectivity to the affected areas are disrupted.

The district collectors of Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada have evacuated hundreds of people and shifted them to relief camps.

The India Meteorological Department has warned that north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and south coastal Andhra Pradesh will experience heavy rain from December 4 to December 6. It has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Mulugu districts in eastern Telangana, bordering Andhra Pradesh.

The South Central Railway on Tuesday morning diverted train 12665 Howrah – Kanniyakumari via Krishna Canal, Guntur, Nandyal, Yerraguntla, Renigunta, Katpadi, Arakkonam, Chengalpattu, and cancelled 07666 Gudur-Renigunta and 07667 Renigunta-Gudur on December 5 and 6.

The highest rainfall of 43.5 mm is reported from Korukollu in Eluru district, followed by similar rainfall of 43.25 mm and 41.75 mm from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district and Seethammadhara in Visakhapatnam district respectively between 8.30 am and 11.30 am Tuesday.

Other districts that have recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall are Kakinada, Guntur, Anakapalli, Prakasham, Palnadu, Bapatla, Tirupati, Krishna, Eluru, Srikakulam, East Godavari, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema and NTR districts.

The IMD has predicted the weather system to move northwards parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla before 2 pm as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

Across Nellore, Eluru, Konaseema, Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Bapatla, low-lying areas and the ground floors of buildings, hospitals, offices, businesses have been inundated with ankle-deep water.

The state government has deployed five NDRF and five SDRF teams on the ground. Authorities have been directed to quickly restore drinking water, food and electricity supply wherever disrupted.

The state has appointed special officers for all cyclone-affected districts, to work closely with the respective district collectors, and released Rs 2 crore each for rescue and relief works.

CM Reddy has asked the official to take the services of village and ward secretariat staff and volunteers in the relief and rescue operations.

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