Cyclone Michaung: Traffic restrictions imposed in Chennai after roads closed and subways flooded, see full advisory here
Cyclone Michaung: Several metros in Greater Chennai police zone have been closed due to waterlogging, affecting daily commutes.
Cyclone Michaung Latest update: Traffic restrictions have been imposed in Chennai and other areas after heavy rains lashed the city due to the impact of Cyclone Michaung. Cyclone Michaung was heading towards Chennai and is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Nellore on December 5, bringing more intense rainfall.
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The Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam road is closed due to water release from Puzhal Lake.
The Thirumangalam road diversion of 30 meters to Estate Road to Park Road has been closed due to water logging in the area.
The Chennai Police said efforts are being made to clear major waterlogged areas in collaboration with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Highways Department.
Metros closed due to flooding
Several metros in Greater Chennai police limits have been closed due to waterlogging, affecting daily commutes.
The affected metros in Chennai include Saidapet Aranganathan, Gangureddy, Madley, Duraisamy, Rangarajapuram, Pazhavanthangal, Thillai Nagar, CP road, Villivakkam, Sembium, Ganesapuram, Vyasarpadi, Manickam Nagar.
The city of Chennai in particular is facing massive waterlogging due to heavy rainfall in the state, while the Koovam river is raging as water from nearby lakes is released into it. The bridge in the Nerkundram area is surrounded by water flowing from the Koovam River.
Cyclone Michaung will make landfall today
Cyclone Michaung is likely to make landfall today on the south coast of Andhra Pradesh, between Nellore and Machilipatnam.
As the cyclone moved away from Tamil Nadu, people were seen walking on the flooded roads to buy essentials.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the “Severe Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal off the coast of South Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining coasts of North Tamil Nadu has been developing at a speed of 07 for the past 6 hours km/h was moving northwards and was centered at 05:30 IST today, December 5, 2023, over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal off the south coast of Andhra Pradesh, near 14.9°N latitude and 80.2°E longitude, approximately 20 km east of Kavali, 50 km northeast of Nellore, 200 km north of Chennai, 110 km southwest of Bapatla and 170 km southwest of Machilipatnam.”
It further said that Cyclone ‘Michaung’ is likely to pass through southern Andhra Pradesh on the morning of December 5 with a maximum wind speed of 90-100 kmph.
“As the system moves nearly northward, close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud area are over land. The system is likely to move almost northward parallel and close to the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh and cross the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam, near Bapatla, on the morning of December 5 as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph with wind gusts up to 110 kmph,” the IMD said.
The IMD said that as the system is moving almost northward, close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud area are over land.
Chennai Airfield will remain closed for arrival and departure operations until 9 AM IST tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions.
Public life in Chennai was badly hit as heavy rains lashed several parts of the city. Several areas including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar Government Multi-Specialty Hospital and other low-lying areas were flooded due to continuous heavy rainfall.