The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning as a depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal intensifies, cyclone taking a west-northwestward trajectory at a speed of 9 kmph. As of 11 pm on December 1, the center of the depression was located at Latitude 10.3°N and Longitude 85.3°E, approximately 630 km east-southeast of Puducherry.
The current position places the storm at 630 km east-southeast of Chennai, 740 km southeast of Nellore, 810 km southeast of Bapatla, and 800 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, according to the latest IMD bulletin. The system is expected to intensify into a Deep Depression within the next 12 hours and further evolve into Cyclonic Storm ‘Michaung’ over the Southwest Bay of Bengal by December 3.
Forecasts indicate that the cyclonic disturbance will shift northwestwards, reaching the vicinity of south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by the forenoon of December 4. The system is anticipated to move nearly northwards, running parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with a projected landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of December 5. At that time, the Cyclonic Storm is expected to have a maximum sustained wind speed of 80-90 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 100 kmph.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin conducted a review meeting on Friday with 12 district administration heads to address the potential impact of heavy rainfall in various districts over the next 2-3 days. Precautionary measures, including evacuations from vulnerable areas, were discussed and instructed.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), led by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, has also reviewed the preparedness of state governments and central ministries for the impending cyclone ‘Michaung’ in the Bay of Bengal.
The IMD has issued a comprehensive rainfall warning for several regions in southern and eastern India. Coastal areas, including North coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, are expected to experience varying degrees of rainfall from December 2 to December 5, with heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted in isolated areas. Residents in these regions are advised to stay informed about the evolving weather conditions and take necessary precautions.
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