RAs the world grapples with the effects of climate change, it becomes increasingly important to monitor and study cyclones and rainfall patterns. The intensity of rainfall and winds on the northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh beaches is expected to intensify with Cyclone Michaung.
What Is Cyclone Michaung?
🌩️Stay alert, Kerala and Mahe! Heavy showers have been recorded in Palode, Pirappancode, and Konni, with as much as 7 cm of rainfall each! 🌧️ Stay safe and dry everyone! pic.twitter.com/Qb7SoJ9MCD
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 2, 2023
Cyclone “Michaung,” which has been brewing in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to cross the beaches of northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh on December 4 evening, and from that point on, the strength of the winds and rains there is expected to grow.
The India Meteorological Department issued a warning today as a depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal gained strength, moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 9 kilometres per hour in the last six hours. The centre of the depression was located at Latitude 10.3°N and Longitude 85.3°E, approximately 630 kilometres east-southeast of Puducherry, as of 11 p.m. on December 1.
According to forecasts, the cyclonic disturbance will move northwest and by the afternoon of December 4, it should be close to the shores of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh. The system is expected to proceed almost due north, paralleling and approaching the coast of south Andhra Pradesh. It is predicted to make landfall on December 5 in the forenoon between Nellore and Machilipatnam.
Twelve chiefs of district administration met for a review on Friday with MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The possibility of significant rains impacting several districts in Tamil Nadu during the next two to three days was discussed during the conference.
Earlier on Friday, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, reviewed state and federal government readiness for the impending cyclone.
South Indian States Brace For Heavy Rainfall
Depression over SW BoB moved W-NW during past 06 hours, intensified into a DD and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of 2 Dec, about 500 km E-SE of Puducherry, 510 km E-SE of Chennai, 630 km SE of Nellore, Likely to move W-NW and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hrs pic.twitter.com/5rTIHuI1mE
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 2, 2023
Notably, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 18 teams to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Puducherry, with an additional 10 teams standing by to deal with any unanticipated circumstance. Coast Guard, Army, and Navy rescue and relief teams, as well as ships and planes, have been placed on standby.
Moreover, due to Cyclone Michaung, all schools in the Puducherry, Karaikal, and Yanam regions will be closed on Monday, December 4. The decision was made as part of the government’s cautious steps. The IMD has issued a ‘yellow’ signal because Cyclone Michaung is expected to approach the Tamil Nadu coast by December 4. Heavy rains in Tamil Nadu have completely filled 200 lakes in the Tiruvallur district, bringing them to capacity. On the 2nd and 3rd of December, passengers and visitors will be denied entry to Pichavaram Boathouse.
esidents in coastal Andhra Pradesh should get ready for light to moderate rainfall in most areas, which could increase to heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places. On December 5, there are reports of sporadic heavy to very heavy rainfall over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, along with some severe rainfall in a few locations.
In most areas of Odisha, light to moderate rainfall is expected on December 4, with sporadic heavy rains expected across the region’s southern coast and adjacent southern interior. The same area is expected to get isolated pockets of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on December 5.
Cover image credits: Canva