Cyclone Michaung to cross Andhra coast on 4 December; four TN districts declare school holiday

Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts have declared 4 December a holiday for educational institutions.

The IMD has also subsequently issued a red alert in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.

🚨Red Alert!

Heads up, Coasters! Heavy to Very Heavy rain with Extremely heavy falls (above 204.4mm) is likely to hit Coastal #AndhraPradesh & #Yanam on 4th & 5th December. 🌩️ Brace yourselves for the heavy downpour! 🌦️ Stay safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/F9MtmIT7XL

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 2, 2023

Path of the cyclone

The depression moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph and intensified into a deep depression. At 8.30 am, it lay centred around 440 km east-southeast of Puducherry, the IMD stated.

The deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal at 0830 hr IST of today about 440 km ESE of Puducherry.Likely to move W-NW,intensify into a Cyclonic Storm over same region during next 24 hours.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 2, 2023

The IMD said that the system is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over southwest Bay of Bengal in the next 24 hours.

Thereafter, it would move northwestwards and reach the west-central Bay of Bengal off the south Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coast by 4 December.

“Thereafter, it would move nearly northwards almost parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross it between Nellore and Machilipatnam on 5 December as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph,” the IMD said.

Also read: Tamil Nadu rains: 5 dead in freak lightning strikes across state

Effects of the cyclone 

Following the cyclone, “warning cage-No-1” has been hoisted in five ports, including Nagapattinam.

Estimated path of Cyclone Michaung. (IMD/X)

Due to the cyclone effect, the sea has receded by 100 metres at Velankanni Beach in Nagapattinam district. The IMD had warned that the sea would be rougher than usual in the coastal areas and advised the fisherfolk not to venture out for fishing.

In north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry regions, the IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places, with isolated heavy rainfall very likely on 2 December.

Further, on 3 December, the rainfall intensity would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places.

On 4 December, the rainfall at most places is likely to be heavy, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places and decreasing thereafter.

Further, an extremely heavy rain warning has also been issued at one or two places over Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu on 4 December.

Also read: Tamil Nadu received 47% less rainfall in October

Chennai police issue advisory

Anticipating that the cyclone would move along the north Tamil Nadu coast, and make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam on 4 December, the Greater Chennai Police have advised the people to take precautionary measures and not to go near the sea.

🌀There is a cyclone alert for Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu.

🌀@ChennaiRmc has predicted the formation of the cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ in the southwest Bay of Bengal by December 3.

🌀This cyclone is anticipated to make landfall along the north Tamil Nadu coast,… pic.twitter.com/BKmCNhJhjw

— GREATER CHENNAI POLICE -GCP (@chennaipolice_) December 2, 2023

Further, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has made 18 teams available to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Puducherry and 10 additional teams have been kept ready. Rescue and relief teams of the Coast Guard, Army, and Navy, along with ships and aircraft have been kept ready on standby.

Chief Minister MK Stalin instructed all concerned officials, including the local body authorities, to take precautionary measures, including evacuating people from the places likely to be hit by the cyclone.