Cyclone Michaung: Bhubaneswar Civic Body Preps For Possible Waterlogging Amid Heavy Rain Forecast

Bhubaneswar: With heavy rain forecast for several districts of Odisha, including Khurda, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set up a control room at Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) office to tackle possible waterlogging in the Odisha capital.

While light to moderate rain is likely to resume in coastal districts of Odisha on Monday under the influence of Cyclone Michaung, which is gaining strength over Bay of Bengal, the intensity of downpour may increase on Tuesday when the system is expected to cross South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla, during forenoon of December 5 as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Yellow warning of heavy rain has also been issued for Khurda along with several other coastal districts on Wednesday.

Also Read: ‘Michaung’ To Intensify Into Severe Cyclonic Storm Today; Heavy Rain & Squall To Lash Odisha

“The officials have been instructed to use public address system to alert people residing in low-lying areas. The WhatsApp group for disaster management will also remain active for better coordination and water pumps will be deployed at vulnerable points,” a BMC officer said.

The preparatory meeting also decided to keep ready diesel generator sets in case there is a power failure. Medical and support teams have been asked to remain on standby.

Notably, several areas in Chennai reported massive waterlogging, power and internet disruption as heavy rains lashed the city on Monday morning with Cyclone Michaung about 110km east-northeast of the city’s coast. While two persons reportedly died after a newly constructed wall collapsed at Kanathur due to heavy rain and gusty winds, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, deployed in the city, rescued around 15 people from Tambaram area near Peerkankaranai and Perungalathur. Fourteen subways have also been shut due to waterlogging.

Several flights have been cancelled or delayed at Chennai airport due to rains.