Cyclone Michaung has weakened into a depression over northeast Telangana, the India Meteorological Department informed on Wednesday. “Deep Depression (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG", pronounced as MIGJAUM) weakened into a Depression over Northeast Telangana," IMD wrote on X. The cyclone weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area on Wednesday. Despite reduction in its impact, some parts of states like Andhra PRadesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha continued to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday. Several districts of Tamil Nadu continue to suffer from the flood and water-logging due to heavy rain caused by the cyclone. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday, will visit Tamil Nadu to take stock of the damage caused in the state. He will also meet TN CM MK Stalin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, “My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Michaung, especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. My prayers are with those injured or affected in the wake of this cyclone. Authorities have been working tirelessly on the ground to assist those affected and will continue their work till the situation fully normalises."
On Tuesday, Cyclone Michaung hit land, causing continuous heavy rainfall in Chennai. Despite the reduced intensity from Monday, the downpour persisted, bringing the state capital to a halt.The storm-induced floods disrupted daily life, leading to casualties and damage to properties.On Tuesday, the Greater Chennai police announced in a statement that 17 individuals lost their lives in different incidents as a result of the floods caused by the cyclone in the city.
Indian Coast Guard undertook proactive actions to ensure timely preemptive measures
Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) undertook proactive actions to ensure timely preemptive measures in response to the disaster. The Coast Guard Radar stations along the coast continously broadcasted advisories to all mariners through VHF radio, said ICG.
Cyclone Michaung updates: Two days after facing cyclone ‘Michaung’, many parts of Chennai continue reel under severe flooding, water-logging, and power cut-off. To take note of the flood situation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Tamil Nadu on Thursday. He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with CM MK Stalin.
Despite weakening into a well-marked low-pressure area, Cyclone Michaung will continue to cause heavy rainfall at isolated places in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and North Andhra Pradesh for the next 10-12 hours, according to IMD. Heavy rain and flooding brought by the approaching Cyclone Michaung snarled life in the South Indian city of Chennai Monday. Streets in most parts of the city — home to some 12 million people — were water-logged as the severe cyclonic storm bore down on India's coastline ahead of an expected Tuesday landfall. Parts of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state, and neighboring districts got almost an inch of rain overnight as the powerful storm churned toward India's southeast coast in the Bay of Bengal. Chennai's airport halted operations until at least Monday evening as heavy rain submerged its runway and strong winds whipped up. Airport authorities cancelled 70 flights and diverted more than 30 others to Kempegowda airport in neighboring Bengaluru city.Indian media outlets showed of several cars being swept away by floodwater in Chennai streets. The waterlogging also forced the cancellation of least six trains in the coastal state. State authorities issued alerts ahead of the cyclone's expected landfall on Tuesday morning. Schools and colleges were closed and employees urged to work from home as the rains started pouring down Monday. Thousands of people were evacuated from coastal areas and officials set up 5,000 relief camps for them on higher ground.
Cyclone Michaung was a "severe cyclonic storm" Monday in the southwest Bay of Bengal, moving north-northwest toward the coast at about 9 miles per hour. It was forecast to make landfall Tuesday in the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh with sustained winds up to 62 mph and gusts close to 70, India's national weather office warned. More than 7,000 people had already been evacuated from eight coastal districts in that state as of Monday.
The warm waters of the Bay of Bengal have spawned several deadly cyclones over the past few years, causing massive destruction in both India and Bangladesh. In 2020, Cyclone Amphan killed at least 80 killed people in India and left thousands homeless. In 2019, Cyclone Fani claimed at least 89 lives and displaced millions in Odisha, another coastal Indian state. In 1999, a super cyclone killed about 10,000 people as it slammed into Odisha. Scientists have linked the rising frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal with global warming. "The Indian Ocean is warming, and we know that warm ocean water is the first, and perhaps the key ingredient for the formation of tropical cyclones, so the system is primed for more storms," Simon Wang a climatologist at Utah State University, told CBS News in 2020.
Chennai and nearby districts are reeling under floodwater
“The cyclone is moving towards the north and is likely to weaken in the next few hours. However, heavy rain will continue,” the A.P. State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said.
Cyclone Michaung December
The death toll due to torrential rains, rain-related incidents in Chennai and three neighbouring districts rose to seven, while over 61,600 people were moved to relief camps in nine districts, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said. The NDRF has deployed 29 teams to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Puducherry to undertake relief and rescue operations.
High speed winds continue till late in the night, Bapatla district plunges into darkness
Homes covered with tin roof sheets and asbestos and overhead tanks were seen flying in the air, as one drove down the deserted roads passing through the coastal villages such as Suryalanka in the Bapatla district where the severe cyclonic storm Michaung made its landfall on December 6 afternoon. High-velocity winds continued till late in the night in most parts of Bapatla district forcing people to remain indoors.
As there was no power, almost the entire district was plunged into darkness, and communication was cut off to Bapatla district as there was no mobile phone network due to the calamity. Almost all the roads in Chebrolu, Ponnur, Gopapuram and other places were deserted before and after the cyclone hit the coast near Bapatla.
Police arranged pickets as a precautionary measure. Many fishermen families were shifted to the relief camps and cyclone shelters. Revanth Reddy tells officials to be alert amid warnings of Cyclone Michaung impact in Telangana The Congress’ Telangana unit chief A Revanth Reddy, who is set to take over as chief minister on December 7, said that officials should be alert in view of the IMD’s warnings on the impact of Cyclone Michaung on various districts of the State. In a post on X, Mr. Reddy said officials should take measures to see that paddy crop is not damaged and people living in low-lying areas do not face trouble.
Avoid Parking on Underground or Lower-Ground Levels
If the warning has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for flood-like situations, avoid parking the vehicles on underground or lower ground levels. Always go for the top spot as it will reduce the chances of vehicles getting washed away from the floods. If possible, chain the vehicles with some solid object, it will reduce the risk of getting flooded. In order to make it safer, create some barriers using sandbags around vehicles. This will help to avoid further risk.
Disconnect Batteries
During such situations, always remember to remove the battery if the vehicles are fuel-powered. It will reduce the risk of any short circuits under the hood. However, this tip can be avoided if the vehicles are battery-powered as most of them are IP-rated water-protected.
Do not Start Instantly
For any XYZ reasons if the water is sneaked inside the car, do not think to check its condition by starting the engine. The idea might land you in a soup. Rather, arrange a towing vehicle, and take it to the nearby mechanic. Get it checked first to avoid further damage risk. Natural disaster never comes by knocking, and the worst part is we can not even fight against it. So, always go for first-party insurance with full coverage, and keep them handy. It will help you to recover from the loss during such natural calamities.
“Officials should be alert in view of the IMD’s warnings on the impact of the cyclone on various districts in Telangana. Precautions should be taken to see that paddy is not damaged,” he said in the post. “The officials should see that daily life is not troubled in agency and low-lying areas. They should be ready to take up the necessary relief measures,” he added. Lives are, once again, in a difficult situation, especially for the people in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu after the threats of high-velocity winds, caused by Cyclone Michaung, affected multiple areas. The states, especially Chennai have already witnessed a huge loss of properties and vehicles. However, it is important to know that the risk of damaging vehicles can be avoided if some tips and tricks are followed. In this detailed article, the team CNN-News18 auto has created a list, mentioning top points, which will help to reduce the risk of damaging vehicles during flood-like situations.