Cyclone ‘Michaung’: Landfall Process Begins Along Andhra Pradesh Coast

Bhubaneswar: The landfall process of Cyclone Michaung along Andhra Pradesh coast, close to Bapatla, as a severe cyclonic storm has begun and it is likely to continue for next 3 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday afternoon.

“The severe cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal along and off South Andhra Pradesh coast moved northwards with a
speed of 10 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 11.30 am today over the same region, about 20 km east of Ongole, 50 km south-southwest of Bapatla, 70 km north-northeast of Kavali, 110 km north-northeast of Nellore, and 120 km southwest of Machilipatnam,” it said.

Heavy to very heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, have been lashing many parts on Andhra Pradesh, including Nellore, Prakasam and Bapatla districts. While around 9,450 people have been evacuated to safety, the state government has appointed several senior bureaucrats as special officers for the cyclone-affected districts.

The weather agency has forecast exceptionally heavy rainfall at one or two places over north coastal and adjoining south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Light to moderate rainfall may also occur at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam on December 5.

Isolated heavy rainfall is likely to continue over north coastal Andhra Pradesh on December 6.

Meanwhile, Chennai airport resumed operations on Tuesday morning after shutdown due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Michaung. At least eight people have lost their lives with multiple roads and subways closed due to waterlogging. The government has also declared holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thieuvallur and Chengalpet on Wednesday with Interior roads and suburbs still under water.

The system has also triggered heavy rain in several southern districts of Odisha from Monday evening and its effect is likely to continue till Wednesday.

RAIN WARNING

December 5

Orange warning

Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) may occur at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, and Rayagada.

Yellow Warning

Heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) is also likely at one or two places over the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal.

Light to moderate rain/ thundershower has been forecast for most places in  Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and at many places in remaining districts of the state.

December 6

Yellow Warning

Heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) is likely to continue at one or two places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada.

Light to moderate rain/thundershower may also occur at most places in Gaajam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and at many places in remaining districts of the state.

WIND WARNING

Squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph may prevail till December 5 afternoon. It is likely to gradually increase becoming 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from December 5 evening for subsequent 12 hours and gradually decrease thereafter. Also, surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph is likely over Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts of Odisha on December 5.

FISHERMEN WARNING

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along & off Odisha coast adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal and into westcentral Bay of Bengal till December 6.

PORT WARNING

Distant Warning Signal No. 2 hoisted at all ports of Odisha.