A strong cyclonic storm named ‘Michaung’ has formed over the South Bay of Bengal and is expected to hit the coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow morning, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.
The storm, currently centered northeast of Chennai, is becoming more intense and moving northwards. It’s likely to make landfall close to Bapatla during the forenoon of December 5. ‘Michaung’ has already intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, causing the IMD to issue warnings of heavy rainfall.
On December 4 and 5, north-coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry can expect heavy to very heavy rainfall, while coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam may experience extremely heavy falls. Chennai is already facing severe disruptions, with heavy rains causing flooding in various areas, including Marina Beach.
Due to the adverse weather conditions, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts on Tuesday. This declaration covers the closure of schools, colleges, government offices, and other educational institutions. However, essential services like police, hospitals, transportation, and disaster response offices will continue to operate.
With a red alert issued by the IMD for heavy rainfall in Chennai and nearby regions, the Tamil Nadu government urges people to take precautionary measures to ensure safety.
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