8 dead as Chennai battles floods, Cyclone Michaung heads for Andhra Pradesh landfall

Eight people have died in Chennai as the city grapples with a severe flood crisis caused by continuous rainfall from Cyclone Michaung. The deluge has transformed roads into rivers, sweeping away vehicles.

Cyclone Michaung, a cyclonic storm, is expected to approach the Andhra Pradesh coast, moving northwards and likely to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam.

Educational institutions have been ordered closed, and private offices have instructed employees to work from home until conditions improve.

The combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds has led to the collapse of trees, walls, and electric poles.

Latest updates 

• Cyclone Michaung is currently moving northward near the coast, with parts of the wall cloud region extending over land.
• It's forecasted to continue its northward path parallel to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, near Bapatla, on Tuesday noon.
• Expected speeds of this severe cyclonic storm are sustained winds of 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph. Heavy to very heavy rains and strong winds have impacted several areas in Andhra Pradesh, including Nellore,
• Prakasam, and Bapatla districts.
• The Andhra Pradesh government has designated senior bureaucrats as special officers for the affected districts.

• As Cyclone Michaung approaches the North Tamil Nadu coast, Chennai and surrounding regions have experienced heavy rainfall and severe waterlogging, inundating several areas.

• The Chennai International Airport Authority has announced the airfield open for all arrival and departure operations on Tuesday following the Cyclone Michaung-induced rainfall.

• Following the Cyclone Michaung-induced rainfall, the Chennai International Airport Authority has declared the airfield open for all arrival and departure operations on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Michaung has significantly bolstered the northeast monsoon, resulting in a 29% increase in Chennai's seasonal rainfall this year.

According to the latest IMD data covering the October 1 to December 4 period, Chennai has received 89 cm of rain, surpassing the usual by at least 20 cm, indicating a 29% surplus in rainfall this season.

In the same timeframe, Nugambakkam recorded 58 cm of rain, exceeding the normal by 53 cm, while Meenambakkam received 50 cm, surpassing the usual by 45 cm.

Before the northwest monsoon, there was a reported 41% rainfall deficit in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai receiving only 49.4 mm compared to the usual 196 mm.

Over 9000 people residing in villages along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated to safety, as per PTI.

Bapatla district superintendent of police Vakul Jindal mentioned evacuations from thatched houses and the setup of 21 cyclone shelters, amidst multiple issues like uprooted trees and overflowing bridges and culverts in the district