Chennai: Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal and heading towards the Andhra coast, has unleashed torrential rain upon Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Heavy rainfall was reported in north coastal Tamil Nadu, encompassing Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore districts, with Thiruvallur district bearing the brunt of the downpour.
Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu are witnessing terrifying scenes as Cyclone Michaung wreaks havoc. The cyclone has battered over 30 parked cars in a neighborhood, causing widespread destruction. Anticipated to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Michaung has prompted a public holiday in Tamil Nadu, with schools closed in Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rainfall in Chennai has resulted in severe waterlogging in various areas. The cyclone is projected to make landfall on the west-central Bay of Bengal, affecting the south coast of Andhra Pradesh and the north coast of Tamil Nadu by December 4. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 21 teams for rescue and relief operations.
Chennai city and its neighboring districts received heavy rainfall overnight, with Meenambakkam recording 196 mm and Nungambakkam receiving 154.3 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 5:30 am this morning.
As a result, schools, colleges, and government offices in Chennai and three adjoining districts will remain closed today, and the state government has urged private companies to allow their employees to work from home.
Due to the heavy rains, bridge No.14 between Basin Bridge and Vyasarpadi has been temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
This closure has resulted in the cancellation of six trains departing from Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station, including those bound for Coimbatore and Mysuru. The Southern Railway has announced that all passengers affected by the train cancellations will receive full refunds.
Additionally, 14 subways have been closed after severe waterlogging. The city’s airport was also not spared, with 12 domestic outbound flights and four international flights being canceled. Three incoming international flights were diverted to Bengaluru due to the weather conditions.
The runway at the Chennai airport will remain closed till 11 pm today.
To aid in relief and rescue efforts, authorities have stationed eight NDRF and nine SDRF teams in the affected districts of Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore, and Chengalpattu.
The water discharge from the Chembarambakkam reservoir outside Chennai has been reduced to 1500 cusecs to mitigate the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
