Cyclone Michaung: Heavy Rainfall Floods Parts of Chennai, Flights Cancelled

New Delhi: Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal and advancing towards the Andhra coast, unleashed heavy rainfall on Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from Sunday onwards. Intense precipitation was observed in the north coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore districts, with Thiruvallur district experiencing the heaviest downpour.

Extensive flooding was reported in most parts of Chennai, particularly in low-lying areas. The cyclone is anticipated to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow at noon.

Chennai city and its adjacent districts experienced substantial rainfall overnight, with Meenambakkam recording 196 mm and Nungambakkam receiving 154.3 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 5:30 am this morning.

Consequently, educational institutions, government offices in Chennai, and three adjacent districts will remain shuttered today. The state government has issued an appeal to private companies, urging them to facilitate remote work for their employees.

Nearly 5,000 relief centres have been established in coastal districts to aid those impacted by the intense rainfall that pounded the city and its neighbouring areas overnight. Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin conducted a review of safety measures last night and is actively monitoring 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," Stalin tweeted.

The movement of trains and flights was also hampered by the rains, with the runway at Chennai airport scheduled to remain closed until 11 pm on Monday at least.

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