Cyclone Michaung Highlights: Aamir Khan, Vishnu Vishal rescued after being stranded for hours in Chennai

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the suburban railway services have been restored in Chennai.

1. Chennai Egmore – Chengalpattu with 30 minutes frequency

2. Chennai Beach – Arakkonam with 45 minutes frequency

3. Tiruvottiyur – Sullurupeta with hourly frequency

The South Coastal Andhra Pradesh is on high alert as the South China Sea (SCS) system known as “Michaung” has shifted its trajectory nearly northwards. According to the latest report from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), as of 1630 hours IST today, the system is centered over south coastal Andhra Pradesh near Latitude 15.9°N and Longitude 80.3°E. The precise location is approximately 20 km west of Bapatla and 50 km northeast of Ongole, heightening concerns in the region. Stay tuned for further updates as authorities closely monitor the situation.

Amid the severe impact of Cyclone Michaung in Tamil Nadu, Congress leader Jothimani emphasises the critical role of the state government in leading the response efforts. Highlighting the distress faced by the people, Jothimani applauds the Tamil Nadu government’s swift action under the supervision of Chief Minister Stalin. However, she stresses the need for the Union government to actively support Tamil Nadu in the ongoing battle against the natural disaster and assist in the rebuilding process

Following the relentless onslaught of cyclone Michaung throughout Monday, Chennai experienced a brief reprieve from rain on Tuesday. However, the city grappled with widespread challenges, including waterlogging, power outages, and disrupted mobile networks. Numerous residents in rain-affected areas faced difficulties with poor mobile network connectivity and intermittent power supply.

The state government has assured residents that restoring normalcy is their top priority. According to official statements, substantial progress has been made, with 80% of power supply and 70% of mobile networks already back in operation.

Tamil actor Vishnu Vishal and Bollywood icon Aamir Khan faced a harrowing situation as floodwaters confined them to their homes in Karapakkam, Chennai. The escalating crisis prompted Vishnu to take to Twitter, shedding light on the dire circumstances within his inundated residence, compounded by the absence of electricity and connectivity.

In a swift response to Vishnu’s plea for help, within a few hours of his tweet, the fire and rescue department orchestrated a joint operation to navigate the rising floodwaters and rescue the stranded actors and others affected by the calamity. Boats were dispatched to navigate the inundated streets and ensure the safe retrieval of Vishnu Vishal and Aamir Khan from their waterlogged residences.

Southern India | 29 NDRF teams are strategically deployed across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Puducherry. With a focus on relief and rescue operations, these teams, including 14 in Tamil Nadu (with five in Chennai), 11 in Andhra Pradesh, one in Telangana, and three in Puducherry, stand ready to respond to the severe cyclonic storm approaching India’s eastern coast on Tuesday.

The Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to the south of Bapatla between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm. It had a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, says IMD.

It adds, “Cyclone Michaung lay over south coastal Andhra Pradesh near latitude 15.8N and long 80.3E, about 15 km southwest of Bapatla and 40 km northeast of Ongole. It is likely to move nearly northwards and weaken into a Cyclonic storm over the next two hours.”

DMK MP NR Elango says, “It (Cyclone Michaung) has affected the normal life of people. But, from day before evening onwards, the CM of Tamil Nadu, ministers, sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, all the MLAs, corporation mayor are on the streets with the people. They saw to that there is no loss of life or no non-supply of essential commodities to the people.”

A dozen people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents in and around the city while personnel on fishing boats and farm tractors were engaged in rescuing stranded people on December 5.

Eleven others, who sustained injuries in rain-related incidents, were receiving treatment in various hospitals, officials said.

“The landfall process has already started and will take around 2 hours to complete. NDRF and SDRF has been deployed, and all the necessary precautionary measures have been taken,” says MM Ali, Meterologist, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA).

The Telangana government has instructed district Collectors to be on high alert in anticipation of heavy rain forecasted on December 5 and 6 due to the severe cyclonic storm Michaung. The State Disaster Management department Secretary, Rahul Bojja, conducted a tele-conference with Collectors of affected districts, advising them to follow protocols and take preventive measures. Each of the two districts, Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mulugu, will receive a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Precautions include preventing water tank breaches, safeguarding low-lying areas, and ensuring the readiness of relevant departments like irrigation, disaster management, roads and buildings, and panchayati raj. The Meteorological Center predicts heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain at isolated places in specific districts. (PTI)

High tide waves hit Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Michaung is likely to make landfall shortly.

The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Michaung” over westcentral Bay of Bengal along and off South Andhra Pradesh coast moved northwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past six hours and lay centered at 1:30 pm on December 5 over Andhra Pradesh coast, close to south of Bapatla. It is now crossing the coast with windspeed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. The landfall process will be completed during next 2 hours: IMD

Air India has extended the one-time waiver of rescheduling or cancellation charges till December 5.

Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu will remain closed on December 6. Schools in these districts have been shut on December 4 and 5.

“It will have no impact on north India. It’s impact is on Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Besides, it will have an indirect impact on northeastern states, Jharkhand and Bihar where light rainfall is expected,” says IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

“It’s really bad, the roads are flooded, and water has not receded because of high tides. The situation is alarming but the (state) government is doing its best to make sure that people are safe,” says DMK MP Kanimozhi.

All 5 major dams in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, flow at full capacity due to incessant rainfall.

People wade through a waterlogged road after heavy rainfall owing to Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai. (PTI)

Odisha’s southern districts continued to receive light to moderate rainfall on Tuesday in the wake of severe cyclone ‘Michaung’, which is likely to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh in a few hours, the India Meteorological Department said. Rainfall has been recorded in Odisha’s Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam and Gajapati districts since Monday evening, officials said. Gajapati received 8.5 mm rainfall, followed by 8.3 mm in Koraput, 3.9 mm in Ganjam, 2.5 mm in Malkangiri and 1.5 mm in Rayagada between 5.30 pm on Monday and 8.30 am on Tuesday, the Met Department said.

“This is a severe cyclonic storm, and as per the information provided by the IMD, it will make a landfall between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm today. Because of this, a massive evacuation operation has been launched. In Tamil Nadu, 6,000 people have been evacuated. Meanwhile, 9,000 people have been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh,” says Mohsen Shahidi, DIG, NDRF.

Tamil Nadu: Houses and streets submerged and trees uprooted in Chennai following heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Cyclone Michaung to make landfall in four hours, over 9000 people evacuated in coastal Andhra Pradesh.