Heavy rains lashed parts of Chennai, accompanied by strong winds uprooting trees in the city. The showers also caused waterlogging in parts of the city on Monday (December 4). The Meteorological Centre, Chennai, predicted thunderstorms and lightning in several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today. Life was thrown out of gear in Chennai and its neighbouring districts relentless rains came down in various parts. People were seen scampering to buy and refill supplies and essential items with drinking water being on high demand.
Cyclonic storm Michaung, which is likely to cross the coast in Andhra Pradesh on the forenoon of Tuesday lay near Chennai and Puducherry, bringing heavy rains.
"Cyclonic storm "MICHAUNG centered over the west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining North Tamil Nadu coasts moved northwestwards at a speed of 8 KMPH, intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the same region on December 4. It is likely to move nearly northwards almost parallel and close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and and cross between Nellore and Machilipatnam (AP) during forenoon of December 5 as a Severe Cyclonic Storm," an update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Rains affect train and flight operations
In Chennai, ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and Ma Subramanian visited the affected areas and took stock of the relief activities. The Chennai airport operations were suspended from 9.40 am to 11 pm. As many as 70 flights arriving to and departing from the airport were cancelled owing to non-stop rains. The runway and tarmac also remain shut due to waterlogging, the Airport Authority of India said. Rail and air services suffered cancellation and delays.
NDRF roped in for rescue ops
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued around 15 people from the Tambaram area due to severe waterlogging as heavy rains continued to lash several parts of Chennai district. The people were rescued amid waterlogging and power outages near Peerkankaranai and Perungalathur neighbourhoods in the Tambaram area.
Parts of Chennai received torrential downpours as cyclone 'Michaung' approached the coast.
Earlier, on Sunday, a State Disaster Response Team of more than 100 members arrived in the Kanchipuram district as the state geared up to tackle all possible threats and contingencies arising out of approaching Cyclone Michaung, which is expected to make landfall on December 5 in coastal Andhra.
Cyclone likely to cross coasts of Tamil Nadu
The cyclone, brewing in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to cross the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh around December 4.
The India Meteorological Department informed on Sunday that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm, Michaung, over the same region.
Following the IMD's cyclone warning in the Bay of Bengal, local cautionary Signal Number III has been hoisted in Chennai, Cuddalore and Ennore ports to alert people.
The looming cyclonic storm over the Southwest Bay of Bengal prompted meteorological authorities to issue a comprehensive rainfall warning for several regions in southern and eastern India.
Rainfall intensity increased on Sunday, with most places experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall.Isolated, extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated on December 3. Rainfall is expected at most places on December 4, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely on December 5 but is likely to ease off thereafter.
(With PTI inputs)
