Life in Chennai, South India's bustling city, faced severe disruptions on Monday due to heavy rainfall and floods preceding the looming Cyclone Michaung's anticipated arrival. With a population of approximately 12 million, the city experienced widespread waterlogging in most areas as the menacing cyclonic storm drew closer to the Indian coastline, expected to make landfall on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai, and its adjacent districts encountered nearly an inch of rainfall overnight as the potent storm surged toward India's southeast coast in the Bay of Bengal.
The downpour wreaked havoc at Chennai's airport, compelling a temporary halt in operations until at least Monday evening. Intense rainfall submerged the runway, while fierce winds prompted authorities to cancel 70 flights and redirect over 30 others to Kempegowda airport in Bengaluru.
Footage shared online portrayed ground crew members wading through knee-deep water to inspect parked aircraft, illustrating the severity of the situation.
Distressing visuals emerged across Indian media, displaying cars swept away by floodwaters on Chennai's inundated streets. The deluge not only disrupted normal life but also led to the cancellation of at least six trains in the coastal state.
With Cyclone Michaung identified as a "severe cyclonic storm" in the southwest Bay of Bengal, moving at around 9 miles per hour toward the coast, state authorities issued alerts in anticipation of its Tuesday morning landfall. Precautionary measures included the closure of schools, colleges, and advisories for employees to work from home as rain inundated the city on Monday.
Evacuation efforts saw thousands relocated from coastal regions, with approximately 5,000 relief camps established on elevated terrain.
The looming threat of the cyclone's arrival in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, expected with sustained winds of up to 62 mph and gusts nearing 70 mph, prompted the evacuation of over 7,000 individuals from eight coastal districts.
The Bay of Bengal, known for generating deadly cyclones, has witnessed devastating events in recent years, including Cyclones Amphan and Fani, causing substantial loss of life and displacement. Scientists have linked the escalating frequency and intensity of such cyclones to the warming of the Indian Ocean, underlining the pressing impact of global warming on these catastrophic weather events.