India: Cyclone Michaung live updates: Most of Chennai remains submerged due to heavy rain under the impact of ‘Michaung’, which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The storm, currently over Bay of Bengal, is likely to head towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Heavy inundation has been reported from low-lying areas in Chennai while the runway at the airport has been closed till 11 pm. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam Tuesday noon.
Cyclone Michaung is expected to make landfall around midnight between Machalipatnam and Nellore in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh.
Heavy rain has caused severe waterlogging in Chennai as cyclone Michaung approaches the North coast of Tamil Nadu before it heads towards Andhra Pradesh. Chennai airport has suspended operations, with 12 domestic outbound flights and four international flights being cancelled.
Three incoming international flights were diverted to Bengaluru due to the weather conditions. Flights were seen grounded as rainwater entered the airport runway, prompting authorities to order its closure till 11 pm tonight.
Tuesday has been declared a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu in view of Cyclone Michaung. The Tamil Nadu government declared the public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
All schools, colleges, educational institutions, and government offices, including the offices of public undertakings/corporations, boards, banks, and financial institutions in the four districts will be closed due to the harsh weather conditions.
However, all essential services, such as police, fire service, local bodies, milk supply, water supply, hospitals and medical shops, power supply, transport, fuel outlets, hotels and restaurants, etc, and the offices engaged in disaster response, relief and rescue activities, shall function as usual.
