Cyclone Michaung makes landfall in Andhra: Why is the storm so deadly?

Boats on the streets; cars swept away by floodwater; crocodiles spotted on the roads and much more. This is not some scene being described from a dystopian movie but from the streets of Chennai where incessant rainfall triggered by the cyclonic storm Michaung has inundated the area.Cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ (pronounced as Migjaum), which formed over the Bay of Bengal and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, has made landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).The cyclonic storm has caused much rain mayhem in Chennai before its landfall – at least eight people have died in rain-related incidents – with authorities stating that it would bring a storm surge of 1.5 metres and inundate the low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh on landfall. In fact, authorities have issued alerts and urged people to stay home.As we countdown to the landfall, let’s take a closer look at why Cyclone Michaung has been unusual and how deadly has it been so far.A rare cyclonic stormMichaung – meaning strength and resilience – is the fourth Bay of Bengal cyclonic storm and the sixth cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean in 2023. According to experts, high-intensity cyclones such as Michaung, which pack high speeds and cause heavy rainfall, are not common at all during this period of the year.Also read: How cyclones form and their devastating impactIt is of note that the IMD had earlier predicted that Michaung would be a ‘tropical cyclone’ with wind speeds of 62 kmph to 87 kmph. However, on Sunday, the IMD has upgraded the storm’s intensity to ‘severe’ with wind speeds of 88 kmph to 166 kmph. In fact, Michaung’s wind speed is anticipated to reach a maximum sustained speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.[caption id="attachment_13466232" align="alignnone" width="640"] Roads in Chennai have been waterlogged since Sunday owing to the torrential rainfall caused by Cyclone Michaung. Authorities state that the city has 400 to 500 mm of rain since Sunday morning. This is way more than the 330 mm of rain that the city had received in the 2015 deluge. PTI[/caption]Moreover, experts have stated that cyclones develop over the Bay of Bengal and over the Arabian Sea. Traditionally, the ones developing in the Arabian Sea are more intense and carry the potential to cause widespread damage.Destruction caused by MichaungOn Tuesday morning, residents of Chennai received some respite after the IMD predicted lighter rainfall after drenching the city and neighbouring areas since Sunday.Life was thrown out of gear in Chennai because of the torrential rainfall triggered by the cyclonic storm Michaung. According to authorities, eight people had died in rain-related incidents in Chennai and road, rail and air traffic were all severely affected.[caption id="attachment_13466242" align="alignnone" width="640"] Residents have been shifted to a safer place from flooded areas due to the rain caused by Cyclone Michaung. PTI[/caption]Streets of Chennai were water-logged, with videos on social media showing cars being swept away, subways being inundated and even water entering people’s homes. In many areas, the strong winds uprooted trees and destroyed electricity poles – many areas witnessed power interruption as well as disruption in internet services.In Chennai’s Poes Garden area, a road caved in; visuals from the area showed a gaping cavity in the middle of the road and an electric pole collapsing into it.The heavy downpour has also led to the closure of the Chennai airport, one of the busiest in India. At 6 pm on 4 December, the airport officials had announced that services at the airport would remain shut until 9 am on Tuesday (5 December), causing several flights to be cancelled and leaving thousands of flyers stranded.Rail services had also come to a near halt in Chennai with many trains being cancelled or diverted owing to the rain situation.[caption id="attachment_13466252" align="alignnone" width="640"] Commuters struggle on a waterlogged road during heavy rain owing to Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai. PTI[/caption]The heavy rainfall in Chennai and neighbouring areas also prompted authorities to shut down schools, colleges and offices. In fact, Taiwanese firm Foxconn stopped production of Apple iPhones at its facility near Chennai due to heavy rains, triggered by the Cyclone Michaung. Moreover, Hyundai factory operations were also suspended on Monday, considering the safety and well-being of the employees under the prevailing cyclonic conditions.Data shows that Chennai has received a whopping 400 to 500 mm of rain since Sunday morning. This is way more than the 330 mm of rain that the city had received in the ‘Chennai deluge’ which had drowned the city.Andhra Pradesh, Odisha on alert As weather experts predict Cyclone Michaung to make a landfall this noon at near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh, the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government is on high alert. An orange alert has been sounded by the IMD for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts. Eight districts — Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada — have been put on high alert.Moreover, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the officials to treat the storm as a major challenge to avoid loss of life and property. It is further reported that special officers have been appointed for all cyclone-affected districts, besides releasing Rs 2 crore each for rescue and relief work. People from low-lying areas have been evacuated and over 300 relief camps have been set up to accommodate them.[caption id="attachment_13466262" align="alignnone" width="640"] Police personnel attempt to remove an uprooted tree from a road after heavy rainfall owing to Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai. PTI[/caption]Officials have reported that fields in several parts of Machilipatnam in Krishna district are already submerged due to rainfall and waterlogging as an impact the cyclone.The IMD officials have also stated that after making landfall in Andhra, it is expected to continue to move northwestward towards southern Odisha, leading to an orange alert also being issued there.Earlier, Prime Minister Modi aid he was in constant touch with the governments of states on the eastern coast bracing for Cyclone Michaung to coordinate relief and rescue efforts. The PM also urged BJP workers in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh to join the relief and rescue efforts and support the local administration.With inputs from agencies