Cyclone Michaung | Coastal Tamil Nadu braces for heavy rain as Andhra Pradesh gears up for landfall

Depression to develop into Cyclone Michaung, landfall in A.P., the Met office says; preparations under way for rescue, relief, evacuation efforts; fishermen grounded, 144 trains cancelled

Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu prepared for heavy rainfall in their coastal districts as a deep depression intensified over the Bay of Bengal, moving northwest and likely to evolve into Cyclone Michaung by December 3 morning. Winds with a maximum sustained speed of 80 to 90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph, are expected, the India Meteorological Department said on December 2.

Disaster relief preparations are in full spate along the coast, with State and national teams in place and Naval forces in the region on standby. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea, and 144 trains have been cancelled. In Andhra Pradesh, relief camps are being set up and arrangements are being made to evacuate coastal regions if needed.

On December, the deep depression prevailed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, about 420 km southeast of Chennai. After it becomes a cyclonic storm, it is expected to reach the waters off southern Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining north Tamil Nadu by December 4 morning, and will then move parallel to the coast, making landfall a day later between Nellore and Machilipatnam, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai said.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast in parts of Tamil Nadu on December 3. Extremely heavy rains are possible in isolated places of coastal Andhra and Yanam on December 4 and 5. Rayalaseema and Odisha may also get heavy rains as the cyclone makes landfall.

Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be deployed with the needed rescue equipment at all the places where the cyclonic storm is likely to pass, the NDRF 10th Battalion Commandant Zahid Khan said.

In Andhra Pradesh, teams will be positioned in the Krishna, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, West and East Godavari, Srikakulam and other districts. “Two teams were already deployed in Tirupati and Yanam and more teams are moving to other areas that may be affected,” Mr. Khan said, adding that women personnel were being included in each team to aid in the rescue of women victims.

Fishermen in 63 villages have been asked not to venture into the sea, river or backwaters from December 1 to 6, and farmers have been advised to harvest mature crops immediately.