Cyclone Michaung landfall: Heavy rains pound Andhra as storm makes landfall; death toll rises in Chennai to 12

After wreaking havoc in Chennai, cyclone Michaung(pronounced as Mig-jaum) is expected to make its landfall in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in the next couple of hours. The severe cyclonic storm, named Michaung, is expected to make its landfall at Bapatla district. Advisories have been issued to residents not to venture outdoors until the cyclonic storm peters out in the land. Follow this ETV Bharat page for live updates.

Chennai/Amaravati: Cyclone Michaung made its landfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh, while bringing more light to moderate rainfall in most placed with isolated heavy rainfall in north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Tuesday morning.

• 6.25 pm
  The Tamil Nadu government has decided to postpone the Formula 4 night street race originally scheduled for December 9 and 10. This precautionary measure aims to prioritize safety and allow for the necessary cyclone recovery efforts in the affected areas.
• 6.22 pm
  The airfield area of Chennai Airport officially reopened at 9 am on Tuesday. Airlines and relevant stakeholders have been informed to commence planning for the resumption of operations, as officials confirm the cessation of rains and receding water levels in the airport vicinity. Authorities assured that runways and taxiways are free from water stagnation. As of now, 21 aircraft remain grounded, with approximately 1,500 passengers accommodated within the terminals at the Chennai Airport. Adequate food supplies are available at airport outlets to ensure the well-being of those present. Cyclone Michaung's impact on Chennai and adjoining districts led to the temporary suspension of air services to and from the city's airport on Monday.
• 6.02 pm
  Heavy rains continued to lash several parts of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
• 1.43 pm
  The severe cyclonic storm Michaung crossed south Andhra Pradesh coast close to south of Bapatla during between 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm on December 5, said the India Meteorological Department, in a statement. The storm carried a sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph. At 2.30 pm, it lay over south coastal Andhra Pradesh near latitude 15.8°N and long 80.3°E, 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 during the next 2 hours, it said.
• 1.29 pm
  Death toll rises to 12 in Chennai.At least a dozen people had 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 the stranded from their houses on Tuesday. The city and adjoining districts faced relentless rains on Monday as the severe cyclonic storm Michaung loomed over the north coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Eleven others, who sustained injuries in rain-related incidents, were receiving treatment in various hospitals, officials said.
• 12.57 pm
  The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have arrived at Bapatla beach as Andhra Pradesh braces for Cyclone Michaung's impact. The severe cyclonic storm is likely to make landfall later today on the southern coast of the state between Nellore and Machilipatnam.
• 12.45 pm
  Heavy rainfall recorded in Andhra Pradesh.Chittedu observatory in Tirupati, recorded 39 cm followed by Nellore with 36.8 cm, and Allamapadu in Tirupati with 35 cm. Chillakooru recorded 33 cm, Naidupet 28.7 cm, Edagali 24 cm and Bapatla 21 cm, and Machilipatnam 14.9 cm. Rainfall recorded across the state over the past 24 hours crossed 10 cms in various pockets with further projections for heavy rains due to the impact of Cyclone Michaung.
• 12 pm
  Landfall delayed and is likely to begin in the next four hours.The weather office said Michaung will bring gales with speeds of 90 -100 km per hour, gusting up to 110 kmph, going by the forecast systems. The weather system over the west-central Bay of Bengal, running along and off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, is likely to move nearly northwards, parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, it said.
• 11.37 am
  According to PTI, about 9,450 people were evacuated to safety as severe cyclonic storm Michaung is expected to make landfall close to Bapatla in south Andhra Pradesh coast within the next four hours.
• 11.12 am
  Schools have been declared holiday in Gajapati district on Tuesday and Wednesday in view of heavy rain forecast. Several parts of Odisha are likely to receive heavy rainfall as Cyclone Michuang will make landfall today. The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued Orange and Yellow Warnings for various districts.
• 11.01 am
  Ahead of severe cyclonic storm 'Michaung' making landfall, rescue teams have been deployed in the southern coastal districts of Odisha, as a precautionary measure. According to the weather bureau, the severe cyclone over the Bay of Bengal is set to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla, in Andhra Pradesh around noon on Tuesday. As a precaution, the state government has deployed five teams of ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) and eight teams of fire service for immediate rescue operations in five southern districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
• 10.46 am
  The forecast of reduced rainfall intensity comes as a relief after Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc across Chennai and adjoining districts, causing flooding and disrupting normal life on Monday. Eight Persons have been killed in rain related deaths in Chennai and its adjoining areas. Residents in some parts of Chennai reported no rain since early hours on Tuesday and mentioned that power services had been restored in those areas. However, train services to and from the city remain suspended.
• 10.42 am
  The landfall has prompted the district authorities to evacuate residents from the villages where the severe cyclonic storm is expected to make its touch down. About 900 residents from villages along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated to safety, sources said. With the severe cyclonic storm Michaung anticipated to hit Bapatla district in the next few hours, residents have been advised to stay indoors and not to venture out. People living in thatched houses in the region have been evacuated. “21 cyclone shelters have been set up, while 10 trees were uprooted and 12 bridges and culverts are overflowing in the district,” PTI quoted Bapatla district Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal as saying.