The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow noon.

Chennai:

Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal and heading towards the Andhra coast, has unleashed torrential rain upon Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. 

Heavy rainfall was reported in north coastal Tamil Nadu, encompassing Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore districts, with Thiruvallur district bearing the brunt of the downpour. 

The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow noon.

Chennai city and its neighboring districts received heavy rainfall overnight, with Meenambakkam recording 196 mm and Nungambakkam receiving 154.3 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 5:30 am this morning. 

As a result, schools, colleges, and government offices in Chennai and three adjoining districts will remain closed today, and the state government has urged private companies to allow their employees to work from home.

Authorities have set up nearly 5,000 relief centres in coastal districts to assist those affected by the heavy rain that lashed the city and its neighboring districts overnight. Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the safety measures last night and is closely monitoring the situation.

#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

“The state machine is ready to face Cyclone Michaung. Ministers and officials are in the field. The public must adhere to the safety protocols provided. I also request that the public should not come out without essential needs until the impact of the storm subsides,” Chief Minister Stalin posted on X.