Cyclone Michaung Wreaks Havoc in Chennai: Six Dead

The aftermath of Cyclone Michaung has left a trail of destruction in the Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction, with six reported deaths and widespread flooding. Heavy rains have inundated several areas of Chennai, prompting urgent rescue operations to evacuate affected residents.

The Arumbakkam area of Chennai remains waterlogged, and Green Corridors from the Airport to Anna Salai and ECR have been designated for emergency travel. However, other roads are grappling with waterlogging, with depths reaching at least 1 foot.

Due to water release from the Puzhal Lake, traffic has been closed on the Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road. The Disaster Response and Relief Teams (DDRT) are collaborating with the Government and Highways Department to address major waterlogging areas.

Chennai Police reported successful rescues, stating, “A total of 225 people were rescued from various areas, including Ganesapuram, Slaterpuram, and Shanmuga Street in the Santhome area. Rescue efforts also included the evacuation of 15 people from Anbu Nagar, six individuals from a flooded home in West Mambalam (including two senior citizens and two children), and eight people from Ram Nagar.”

The fire department added to the rescue efforts by capturing a 14-foot-long King Cobra that had entered a residential area in Bhagavathipuram village. The snake was safely handed over to the forest department.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, in response to the crisis, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an immediate interim relief fund of Rs 5060 crores. CM Stalin also requested the dispatch of a central team to assess the damages caused by Cyclone Michaung in the state. DMK MP TR Baalu will personally hand over the letter to PM Modi in Delhi.

On social media platform X, CM Stalin expressed the collective efforts of the government machinery in response to the calamity: “The entire government machinery, such as ministers, officials, police, sanitation workers, and corporation workers are working hard to quickly remove the effects of the Cyclone Michaung calamity that surrounds us.”

In a positive note, DMK MP Kanimozhi remarked that the Tamil Nadu government is better prepared than in 2015, despite receiving over 33 cm of rainfall in the last two days. Over 411 relief shelters have been set up, evacuations are underway, and essential services are being restored.

While the remnants of Cyclone Michaung weakened into a depression over Northeast Telangana, the India Meteorological Department anticipates further weakening into a well-marked Low-Pressure Area in the next six hours. The city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the cyclone, emphasizing the need for swift relief and recovery efforts.