Big Rain in Chennai, Flights and Trains Disrupted as Cyclone Nears Tamil Nadu

Heavy rain in Chennai, planes and trains affected as cyclone approaches Tamilnadu

Cyclone Michaung is now over the Bay of Bengal and moving towards the Andhra coast. It's causing heavy rain in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

There was a lot of rain in the northern coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore districts. Thiruvallur district had the heaviest rainfall.

Many areas in Chennai are underwater, especially in low-lying places. The cyclone is predicted to hit the land between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow at noon.

Chennai city and nearby areas got a lot of rain last night. Meenambakkam measured 196 mm, and Nungambakkam received 154.3 mm in the 24 hours until 5:30 am this morning.

Officials have arranged almost 5,000 relief centers in coastal areas to help people affected by the heavy rain that hit the city and nearby areas last night. Chief Minister MK Stalin checked the safety measures yesterday and is closely monitoring the situation.

"The government is prepared for Cyclone Michaung. Ministers and officials are on the ground. Please follow the safety guidelines. I urge everyone to stay indoors unless it's essential until the storm's impact decreases," Chief Minister Stalin shared on X.

#CycloneMichaung-ஐ எதிர்கொள்ள அரசு இயந்திரம் தயார் நிலையில் உள்ளது. அமைச்சர்களும் அதிகாரிகளும் களத்தில் உள்ளனர்.

வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ள பாதுகாப்பு நெறிமுறைகளைப் பொதுமக்கள் கட்டாயம் கடைப்பிடிப்பீர்; புயலின் தாக்கம் குறையும் வரை அத்தியாவசியத் தேவைகளின்றிப் பொதுமக்கள் யாரும் வெளியில் வர… pic.twitter.com/8ngdPMiJVm
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 3, 2023

Because of the heavy rain, Bridge No. 14 between Basin Bridge and Vyasarpadi has been closed temporarily as a precaution to keep the public safe.

The closure has led to the cancellation of six trains leaving Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station, including those going to Coimbatore and Mysuru. The Southern Railway has stated that passengers affected by these cancellations will get complete refunds.

Moreover, 14 subways are closed due to heavy water accumulation. The city's airport is also affected, with 12 domestic and four international flights canceled. Three incoming international flights were redirected to Bengaluru because of the weather conditions.

To help with relief and rescue efforts, officials have placed eight NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and nine SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) teams in the impacted districts of Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore, and Chengalpattu.

The amount of water released from the Chembarambakkam reservoir near Chennai has been decreased to 1500 cusecs to lower the chance of flooding in low-lying areas.