The deep depression over the South Bay of Bengal, which has intensified into cyclonic storm Michaung, is being monitored due to its destructive nature and potential impact.
The cyclone has claimed five lives in separate incidents across Tamil Nadu’s Chennai, said the police on Monday.
Several trees have been uprooted in the state due to the strong winds. The lives of the people have been affected as they grapple with water-logging and other issues in several locations across the southern state. One person has been injured due to the falling of a tree, said police. Given the cyclonic storm, the Chennai airfield will remain closed until 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
“Airfield closed for arrival and departure operations till 0900 hrs IST tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions”, said the Chennai airport authority in a post on ‘X’.
Subways have been closed due to the severe waterlogging in Chennai. Also, traffic has been closed from Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to the release of water from Puzhal Lake, said the police.
“DDRT Teams are available in all vulnerable areas and they are working in coordination with the GCC and Highways Department,” police added. Cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ intensified to a severe cyclonic storm at 8:30 a.m. today, about 90 km east-northeast of Chennai.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall on December 4 and 5 in north-coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Light to moderate rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, is expected on December 4 and 5.
Public life is severely affected in Chennai due to heavy rains lashing several parts of the city. Several areas, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas were left inundated due to the persistent heavy rainfall.
Chennai’s popular Marina Beach was flooded due to heavy downpours, and the roads from Mount Road to Marina Beach were blocked due to severe waterlogging. The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts on Tuesday, given the cyclone.
All schools, colleges, educational institutions, and government offices, including the offices of public undertakings and corporations, boards, banks, and financial institutions in the four districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, will be closed due to the harsh weather conditions in the state. However, all essential services, such as police, fire service, local bodies, milk supply, water supply, hospitals and medical shops, power supply, transport, fuel outlets, hotels and restaurants, etc.