Cyclone Michaung to make landfall on Dec 5: Here’s what you need to know

Here’s all you need to know about the cyclone:

📌 An orange alert has been sounded by the IMD for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as cyclone Michaung approaches the south Andhra Pradesh coast. Eight districts — Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada — have been put on high alert. Funds have been allocated to safeguard the districts with focus on preventing loss of crops.

📌 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for a few districts in Rayalaseema, South, and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh in view of Cyclone Michaung. The storm is expected continue until December 7, and later transform into a deep depression and return to normalcy.

📌 The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 18 teams in the eastern coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Puducherry, 10 additional teams kept at the ready. Rescue and relief teams of the Coast Guard, Army and Navy, along with ships and aircraft are on standby, as per a statement released by National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC).

📌 Extremely heavy rain pounding the Tamil Nadu capital has brought air, rail, suburban metro and road transport to a grinding halt. Several areas in the city reported water logging and flooding.  The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) in a statement had noted that five deaths including two due to electrocution and one after a tree had fallen was reported in the city. The state government has issued an order declaring a public holiday on Tuesday for four districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.

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Relentless rains in Chennai and neighboring districts have disrupted daily life on Monday, raising fears of a repeat of the 2015 deluge. (PTI Photo)

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IMD issues orange alert for Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as Cyclone Michaung nears south Andhra Pradesh. (PTI Photo)

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People rushed to buy essential supplies, and drinking water is in high demand. (PTI Photo)

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The storm's name 'Michaung' was suggested by Myanmar, means strength or resilience. (PTI Photo)

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Transportation services severely impacted with cancellations of trains and flights. (PTI Photo)

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Chennai and nearby areas face significant waterlogging and challenges for road users. (PTI Photo)

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Rainfall in the last 24 hours: Perungudi 29 cm, Avadi 28 cm, Mamallapuram 22 cm. (PTI Photo)

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The weather office predicts heavy rainfall and strong winds in the affected districts. (PTI Photo)

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured support to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and inquired about the prevailing situation in the state in the wake of cyclonic storm. (PTI Photo)

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The Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday due to the cyclone. (PTI Photo)

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The government has urged private firms to allow its employees to work from home in affected regions on December 5. (PTI Photo)

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Cabinet ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and Ma Subramanian oversee relief activities in Chennai; 250 NDRF personnel deployed for rescue efforts. (PTI Photo)

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The Chennai airport operations were suspended from 9.40 am to 11 pm. As many as 70 flights arriving to and departing from the airport were cancelled owing to non-stop rains, runway closed due to waterlogging. (PTI Photo)

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Rail and air services face cancellations and delays; several subways closed, trees uprooted. (PTI Photo)

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Wildlife division alerts public about crocodiles in flooded areas; Governor urges people to stay home and follow government advice untile the situation improves. (PTI Photo)

📌  32 flights scheduled to land in Chennai have been diverted to Bengaluru and many to Vijayawada, Rajahmundry have been cancelled, with heavy rainfall reported in north coastal Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Thiruvallur districts. The Chennai airport has been closed for arrival and departure operations till 11 pm on Monday due to severe weather conditions.

📌 The 2 Madras Unit of the Indian Army rescued people from Mugalivakkam and Manapakkam areas in Chennai that are affected by heavy rainfall and massive waterlogging.

📌 The Andhra Pradesh CMO says the Bapatla Collectorate has taken swift and comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the locals, including establishment of dedicated control rooms to coordinate and monitor the situation round the clock.

📌 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said in the review meeting with district collectors that he will be personally visiting the affected districts after sufficicent time for relief efforts is complete.

📌 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said he was in constant touch with the governments of states on the eastern coast bracing for Cyclone Michaung to coordinate relief and rescue efforts

📌 As of 11:30 this morning, the cyclonic storm lay centred about 90 km east to northeast off Chennai, 140 km southeast of Nellore, 200 km northeast off Puducherry, 270 km south to southeast off Bapatla.