Cyclone Michaung: Eight Casualties In Chennai, AP Issues High Alert, Puducherry Imposes Section 144; Here Are All Recent Updates

Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal, is poised to make landfall near Bapatla on the Andhra Pradesh coast, following widespread rainfall havoc in Tamil Nadu.

The toll in rain-related incidents in Chennai has reached at least eight casualties.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90 -100 km/h, gusting to 110 km/h.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has urged officials to treat the storm as a major challenge, and the Andhra Pradesh government has issued alerts for eight districts.

Special officers have been appointed, and Rs 2 crore each has been released for rescue and relief efforts. Evacuations are underway, and over 300 relief camps are operational.

Puducherry has imposed Section 144 in coastal areas until 6 pm.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured support to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. National Disaster Response Force personnel have been deployed, and additional teams are on standby.

Director General of the India Meteorological Department, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, has warned of extremely heavy rainfall (30-40 cm) in cities and towns along coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Severe cyclonic storms can lead to the uprooting of small and medium trees, extensive damage to hutments and mud houses, and partial damage to telephone and electric poles.

Chennai Airport has resumed operations after being grounded due to rainwater entering the runway and departures are being prioritised to clear stranded passengers.

The Odisha government has also deployed rescue teams in southern districts as a precaution. Coastal and southern district collectors have been put on high alert, and fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea due to challenging conditions.