After a tumultuous onslaught of rain and wind in Chennai and adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu, Cyclone Michaung made a landfall on Tuesday in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district. The severe cyclonic storm's arrival was met with a tragic toll as at least 12 individuals lost their lives in rain-related incidents in and around Chennai. Rescue missions are in full swing to aid stranded individuals in these devastating circumstances.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the landfall of Cyclone Michaung in Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant meteorological event. The storm's progression was detailed in an update by the weather department on X, indicating its centering over south coastal AP, prompting concerted efforts for mitigation.
The cyclone's impact was most keenly felt in Chennai and the neighboring districts of Tamil Nadu, which bore the brunt of the havoc. Though Chennai witnessed a temporary respite from incessant rains on Tuesday, the city grappled with severe waterlogging, power outages, and disruptions in mobile services. While restoration efforts were underway, the Tamil Nadu government reported partial success, with 80% of power supply and 70% of mobile network services reinstated by Tuesday evening.
Across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Puducherry, 29 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are tirelessly engaged in relief and rescue operations, aiding affected communities in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.
The Tamil Nadu government urgently appealed for an interim central assistance of ₹5,000 crore to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure and provide relief to affected residents. DMK leader Tiruchi Siva emphasized the dire circumstances, urging the Union government to expedite financial aid for Tamil Nadu's recovery.
Responding to the crisis, the Indian Air Force (IAF) dispatched relief supplies via helicopters to areas heavily impacted by the cyclone, offering essential provisions to those stranded. Furthermore, the Indian Navy swiftly mobilized teams equipped with divers, swimmers, and inflatable boats to facilitate flood relief efforts in Chennai's Madipakkam and Kolathur suburbs.
With safety being paramount, authorities announced the closure of all schools and colleges in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh's Eluru district for Wednesday. In Odisha's southern regions, rainfall prompted rescue operations, deploying teams from ODRAF and the fire service department in five districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam - to aid affected communities.
Even as the cyclone's impact reverberates, areas in Chhattisgarh experienced light rain on Tuesday evening, providing some respite and a dip in temperatures across Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, and Bastar districts.