With Cyclone Michaung circling the Bay of Bengal and moving towards the coast of Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are experiencing deluges of rain. Thiruvallur district received the most of the heavy rainfall that was reported over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore districts in north coastal Tamil Nadu.
Three deaths linked to rain-related incidents have been registered by Chennai police thus far. The majority of the city is still underwater, with low-lying sections seeing significant flooding. Tomorrow at noon, the storm is predicted to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam.
Heavy rain fell overnight in Chennai city and its surrounding districts; in the 24 hours running up to 5:30 am this morning, Meenambakkam recorded 196 mm of rain and Nungambakkam, 154.3 mm.
As a result, the state government has pushed private businesses to permit their staff to work from home, and schools, colleges, and government offices in Chennai and three surrounding districts remained closed today. In addition, all four districts of Tamil Nadu will have public holidays tomorrow, according to the administration.
In order to help individuals impacted by the intense rain that battered the city and its surrounding areas throughout the night, authorities have established over 5,000 relief facilities in coastal regions. MK Stalin, the chief minister, examined the safety precautions yesterday night and is keeping a careful eye on the situation.
“The state machine is ready to face Cyclone Michaung. Ministers and officials are in the field. The public must adhere to the safety protocols provided. I also request that the public should not come out without essential needs until the impact of the storm subsides,” Chief Minister Stalin posted on X.
Speaking with Mr. Stalin about the effects of the storm, Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised to help with damages.
In order to protect public safety, bridge No. 14 between Basin Bridge and Vyasarpadi has been temporarily closed due to the severe rainfall.
Six trains—including those headed for Coimbatore and Mysuru—that were scheduled to depart from the Dr. MGR Chennai Central railway station have been cancelled as a result of this closure. All passengers impacted by the train cancellations will receive full reimbursements, according to a statement from the Southern Railway.
In addition, 14 subways have been shut down due to significant flooding. Twelve domestic departure flights and four foreign flights were cancelled at the city’s airport, which was likewise affected. The weather caused three incoming international planes to be rerouted to Bengaluru.
The airport in Chennai would not reopen its runway until early tomorrow morning.
Authorities have deployed eight NDRF and nine SDRF teams in the impacted districts of Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore, and Chengalpattu to assist with relief and rescue operations.
In order to lessen the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas, the water discharge from the Chembarambakkam reservoir outside of Chennai has been lowered to 1500 cusecs.
