Cyclone Michaung Updates: Cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ has turned into a severe Cyclonic storm, the India India Meteorological Department said on Monday. Heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Michaung caused severe waterlogging in several areas across Chennai on Monday. Several low-lying areas, including hospitals and many residential parts, witnessed inundation even as civic agency personnel were involved in clearing the stagnant water.
Five southern Odisha districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam - were put on alert as the IMD issued a Yellow Warning (be updated) of 7 cm to 11 cm rainfall on Monday and the intensity of rain (orange warning) likely to increase in these areas on December 5.
Because of the upcoming cyclone 'Michaung', expected to hit the west-central Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts, the Puducherry district administration imposed Section 144 of the IPC on the coastal areas close to the sea shore of Pudhucherry.
To prevent any loss of life or property, the district administration restricted the movement of all persons on the coastal areas near the sea-shore has been prohibited from 7 p.m. on December 3 until 6 p.m. on December 5.
The district collector announced holidays for all educational institutions in the NTR district on December 4 and 5.
As the state braces for the cyclone, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday on Monday. The government urged private companies to encourage the 'work from home' option for their employees in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts.
During the cyclone period, parts of north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Telangana, and Odisha are likely to experience rainfall, though with varying intensity.
Cyclone Michaung, brewing over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh with winds that could pack speeds of up to 100 kmph on Tuesday forenoon.
The IMD issued Yellow Warning (be updated) as heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) is likely at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam on December 4. Similarly, it said that light to moderate rain and thundershowers may also occur at many places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapti, Ganjam, Puri, at a few places in Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and at one or two places in remaining parts of the state.
For December 5, the IMD issued Orange warning (be prepared) and forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) may occur at one or two places in the five districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
It also issued a Yellow Warning (be updated) and forecast heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) is also likely at one or two places in Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Puri.
The railways have cancelled a total of 118 trains. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has cancelled 60 trains and set up a round-the-clock helpline for providing information and assistance to passengers.
According to officials, ECoR has planned for early restoration of train traffic and tracks if affected by the cyclone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was in constant touch with the states' governments on the eastern coast bracing for Cyclone Michaung to coordinate relief and rescue efforts.
The government said that the Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner and district collectors have been advised to house people living in vulnerable areas in cyclone shelters. People living in low-lying areas have been asked to reach the cyclone shelters in advance. The public has been cautioned against going near waterbodies and taking selfies or parking vehicles under trees.
-With agency inputs
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