Chennai is witnessing showers more severe than those experienced in the 1970s-80s, according to state minister KN Nehru
A railway coach at inundated Egmore station, Chennai.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a red alert in five districts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and north coastal Tamil Nadu as well as an enclave of Puducherry — Chennai Urban, Yanam, Nellore, Prakasam, Krishna, Bapatla, and Guntur — as Cyclone Michaung continued to dump copious amounts of rain on the region.
A red alert indicates that extremely heavy rainfall is expected in the affected districts, ranging from 200 to 250 millimetres in just 24 hours.
Rains attributed to the cyclone have left a trail of destruction in Chennai Urban district. The 4 pm bulletin by IMD reported that it could possibly pass for the worst rains the city has experienced — the same volume of rains that the city experienced in the 1970-80s.
Tamil Nadu municipal administration and water supply minister KN Nehru said the metropolis (Chennai) is witnessing showers more severe than those experienced in the 1970s-80s.
Power and online connectivity disruptions have compounded the urban challenges. According to IMD, Cyclone Michaung is presently moving in parallel to the Chennai coast at a distance of 100 kilometres east-northeast of Chennai. “It has shifted at 10 kilometres per hour (kmph) over the past six hours,” IMD said.
Pazhavanthangal Subway, one of the arterial subways in the city, has been shut down due to severe waterlogging. Greater Chennai Corporation authorities have cordoned off the approach to the subway from both ends. According to officials, the height of the subway is about 14 feet. But only the last 3-4 feet of the subway wall is visible at the moment.
12 Madras Unit of Indian Army rescues people from Mugalivakkam and Manapakkam areas in Chennai that are affected by heavy rainfall and massive waterlogging.
According to the governor of Tamil Nadu RN Ravi, authorities from both central and state agencies have been mobilised to guarantee the safety of individuals.
The cyclone is likely to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of December 5.
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director-general, IMD, said on X: “It is a severe cyclonic storm which lies 90 km northeast of Chennai. It will move parallel to the Andhra Pradesh coast. The windspeed along Andhra Pradesh will become 90-100 kmph from today. We have asked fisherfolk not to venture into the sea till December 6. A red alert issued for north coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.”
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