The process of landfall of cyclone ‘Maichong’ will be completed in the next 2 hours
Visakhapatnam: The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday said the landfall process of severe cyclonic storm ‘Michong’, which started earlier in the day near Bapatla on the Andhra Pradesh coast, is likely to be completed in the next 2 hours.
According to IMD, Severe Cyclonic Storm Michong has moved northwards at a speed of 10 kmph during the last 6 hours and is now crossing the coast with winds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. . The landfall process will be completed in the next 2 hours. The weather department added.
“Severe Cyclonic Storm “MAIKANG” moved northwards with a speed of 10 kmph during last 06 hours over west-central Bay of Bengal along and off south Andhra Pradesh coast and made landfall at 1330 hrs IST on December 5, 2023. It was centered over Andhra Pradesh coast near 15.65°N latitude and 80.25°E longitude, south of Bapatla, about 30 km south-west of Bapatla. It is now gusting to 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. “The landslide process will be completed during the next 2 hours,” the IMD posted on Friday. Earlier in the day, speaking about the rainfall recorded in Andhra Pradesh, IMD Director Sunanda said, “This is the highest rainfall recorded in Nellore, with Babatala having the highest rainfall of about 21 cm and Machilipatnam at 15 cm.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall and even extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in many areas. Nevertheless, in south-coastal Andhra Pradesh, these rain bands are present. “Even today we will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places. Port warning. Warning is still in force in all ports from Machli Patnam to Krishna Patnam; danger signal number ten in force. And danger signal number nine for Kakinada And warning continues for Visakhapatnam. Kalingapatnam port LC three signals continue,” he said. Meanwhile, Chennai airport has resumed operations after being temporarily closed due to flooding and waterlogging on the runway due to heavy rains, an airport official said.
According to a statement issued by the airport authorities, the rain has stopped and the water has receded. However, there is a lot of mud and dirt on the runway and taxiway, which is being cleared by four Civilian Firearms Teams (CFT) and additional manpower.
Amid the devastation caused by the severe cyclone ‘Maichong’ in the state, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday said that the state has received more rainfall during the cyclone period than it did in 2015.
Addressing a press conference, MK Stalin said, “Despite the historic rainfall, the damage is less compared to last time. The rainfall during Cyclone Michong was more than the rainfall in 2015, when water was released from Sembarambakkam. The flood was artificial.” Lake but now it is a natural flood.”
Stalin said, “Chennai has survived only because of the desilting work, which we did for Rs 4000 crore. In 2015, there were 199 deaths, but now, even with extreme rains, the death toll is only 8, But still, it could have been avoided.” Added.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin inspected the cyclone affected areas in the state on Tuesday morning. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister inspected the rain relief camp set up at Kannapar Thital, Chennai. There are 162 relief centers of which 43 operate for Chennai’s 2477 residents. There are 20 kitchens providing food to these relief centres. 5000 workers from other districts have been moved to Chennai for mitigation works. The Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu and other top officials are monitoring the operations at the Integrated Command and Control Centre.
The Chennai Corporation’s focus is on prioritizing rescue operations, providing food to persons shifted to relief centers and clearing roads. The Chief Minister also called upon the organizations involved in relief work to join hands with the government to alleviate the suffering of fellow human beings.
