Cyclone Michaung: 17 people die in Chennai after heavy rain
Cyclone Michaung a devastating landfall on Tuesday, wreaking havoc along the Andhra Pradesh coast and claiming 17 lives in Chennai.
Chennai: Cyclone Michaung a devastating landfall on Tuesday, wreaking havoc along the Andhra Pradesh coast. The cyclone brought relentless rainfall, fierce winds, and widespread destruction across the south-eastern Indian coast, resulting in death of 17 lives in Chennai.
Michaung struck the Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla as a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday afternoon, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). With wind speeds reaching 110kmph, coastal villages and cities in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu witnessed uprooted trees, disrupted power and phone lines, and extensive damage to crops. By Tuesday evening, the system weakened into a cyclonic storm and further reduced to a deep depression, with wind speeds in the 55-85kph range.
On Monday and Tuesday, Michaung submerged Chennai, causing significant infrastructure damage and claiming the lives of at least 17 people.
The cyclone’s onslaught was most pronounced in Andhra Pradesh, where officials reported heavy rainfall across several districts. Approximately 9,500 people were evacuated to 211 relief camps in coastal districts. Tragically, a 35-year-old police officer lost his life in Kadapa district when an uprooted tree fell on him.
In Bapatla district alone, 1,350 people were relocated, with 50 special teams deployed for relief measures. Reports indicate extensive damage to crops in various districts, including Tirupati, Nellore, Kadapa, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, NTR, and Konaseema.
Ms Kalinga