17 dead as Cyclone Michaung completes landfall process: Top developments today

Southern districts of Odisha and eastern Telangana continue to be on alert.

Members of Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (APSDRF) cut the branches off a fallen tree after Cyclone Michaung made landfall, in Nellore district. (Reuters photo)

Severe cyclonic storm Michaung made landfall crossing south Andhra Pradesh coast between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Tuesday. As the landfall process was completed by evening, it was likely to move northwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm. At least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents in Chennai so far, as heavy rain triggered by the cyclone pounded the city, leaving large parts of it submerged.

Southern districts of Odisha and eastern Telangana continue to be on alert. Meanwhile, after being pounded by rains the whole of Monday, Chennai witnessed some respite on Tuesday even as the city struggled to cope with large scale water logging, power cuts and disruption in mobile services.

Here are the top developments that unfolded as Cyclone Michaung made landfall on the eastern coast near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh.

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📌 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, said an Amaravati Meteorological Centre official.

📌 Although no casualties were reported in Andhra Pradesh, authorities in the state have moved around 9,500 people from vulnerable areas into 211 relief camps across affected districts. 21 cyclone shelters have been set up in Bapatla district, said district superintendent of police Vakul Jindal, reported PTI.

📌 Tamil Nadu authorities have moved 32,158 people to relief camps over two days. Currently, 411 relief centres are operational in the state.

📌 The IMD issued a flash flood warning for certain coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh till 11:30 am of December 6, with high flashflood risk over a few watersheds and neighbourhoods of Guntur, Prakasam and Krishna and moderate flash flood risk in West Godavari, Guntur, Kurnool, Prakasam and Nellore.

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📌 A total of 29 NDRF teams were deployed in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Puducherry to undertake relief and rescue operations in the wake of the severe cyclonic storm, as per a senior officer.

📌 According to IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the cyclone will have an indirect impact on states including northeastern states, like Jharkhand and Bihar.

📌 The DMK on Tuesday demanded an immediate central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore to provide relief to the people and rebuild infrastructure in Chennai and nearby districts hit by incessant rains caused by cyclone Michaung.

📌 Residents in rain-affected parts of Chennai faced poor mobile network connectivity and power cuts, while the state government assured bringing back normalcy, adding that 80 per cent of power supply and 70 per cent of mobile networks have already been restored.

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📌 The rain also led to the cancellation of around 300 flights, with the Chennai airport shutting down its airfield. The Southern Railway also cancelled several long-distance trains.

📌 The fishing community has been particularly affected, with 1,200 fishing boats completely damaged, and numerous others partially damaged or missing. Chennai core areas, including Besant Nagar, Arumbakkam and Tondiarpet, witnessed hip-deep water, disrupting normal life and complicating rescue efforts.

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