Cyclone Michaung strikes hard: Unprecedented destruction in Southern coastal India
Cyclone Michaung has brought parts of Southern India, particularly Andhra Pradesh, to a standstill with its ferocious impact. Heavy rains lashed the region on Monday as the cyclonic storm approached the southern coastal region, prompting the state government to issue an alert across eight districts including Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada.
In Tamil Nadu, life has come to a halt with authorities declaring a holiday for offices and schools on December 5, amidst fears of a repeat of the 2015 deluge. Chennai, the state’s capital, has experienced severe waterlogging, with videos of flooded roads and submerged cars flooding social media platforms.
The severe cyclone is predicted to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, near Bapatla, on Tuesday morning. It poses a significant threat with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.
Cyclone Michaung Unleashes Havoc: Southern India and Andhra Pradesh in High Alert
Odisha, though not directly in the path of the cyclone, is bracing for light to moderate rainfall, with the intensity expected to increase on Tuesday. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has confirmed the forecast, adding to the regional apprehension.
The cyclone has also impacted industry, with Taiwanese tech giants Foxconn and Pegatron halting production of Apple iPhones in their Chennai facilities due to the inclement weather.
Authorities in Tamil Nadu are on high alert, having declared a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts on December 5. The closure of schools, colleges, educational institutions, and government offices in these districts underscores the severity of the situation.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has convened a review meeting to initiate relief efforts and mitigate the cyclone’s impact.
Cyclone Michaung’s approach has set a region on edge, disrupting normal life, industry, and transportation, including the temporary closure of Chennai Airport. The entire southern coast of India is under the shadow of this natural calamity, as emergency services and citizens brace for its full impact.