Cyclone Michaung Wreaks Havoc In Tamil Nadu; To Cross Andhra Coast Between Nellore and Machilipatnam Today

Bhubaneswar: After wreaking havoc in Tamil Nadu, the Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts coast moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0230 hours over the same region. The system is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla during the next 4 hours as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

Yesterday, heavy rains pounded various districts in Tamil Nadu in which five persons died and massive property loss was reported. Low-lying areas in southern Chennai bore the impact of the cyclone. More than two thousand people were shifted to safer places. High tides prevented rain water from draining out to the sea as heavy flooding continued through out the day yesterday. While large number of vehicles were swept away in rain water flooding, power connection remained tripped in many areas of Chennai city. According to the IMD, Chennai received 415 mm rains in less than 24 hours between 8.30 pm on Sunday and 1.30pm on Monday.