Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung[a] (Burmese pronunciation:[mɪʔtɕʰaʊɰ̃]) was a moderate tropical cyclone which formed in the Bay of Bengal during the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Michaung originated as a low-pressure area in the Gulf of Thailand which crossed into the Bay of Bengal and became a deep depression on December 2. It developed into a cyclonic storm thereafter and was named Michaung. It was the ninth depression and the sixth named cyclonic storm of the season. The cyclone gradually moved north-west over the next few days towards the eastern coast of India. The storm peaked with sustained winds of 60 knots (110 km/h; 70 mph) causing heavy rainfall in north-eastern Tamil Nadu including Chennai and south-eastern Andhra Pradesh before making landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh on December 5.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
In late November 2023, a low-pressure area crossed into the Bay of Bengal from the Gulf of Thailand. On December 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the disturbance had developed into a depression in the South Andaman Sea, and was expected to move towards the northwest while strengthening in the Bay of Bengal.[3] On December 2, the system intensified into a deep depression located about 440 kilometres (270 mi) east-southeast of Puducherry.[4] Thereafter, it intensified into a cyclonic storm, and was assigned the name Michaung by Myanmar.[5]
On December 4, cyclone Michaung reached peak intensity as it approached the coast of Tamil Nadu with winds of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph), equivalent to a high-end tropical storm on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[6] Michaung moved almost directly northward along the coast. On December 5, the storm made landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, weakening as it moved inland.[7] By December 6, the storm had weakened to a depression over central Andhra Pradesh.[8]
Meteorological data
According to the IMD reports, INSAT-3D satellite imagery on December 5 indicated a cloud mass with broken low to medium clouds and intense convection extending over west-central Bay of Bengal and the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, spanning from latitude 13.5°N to 17.5°N and longitude 80.0E to 82.5E. The minimum cloud top temperature was recorded at −90 °C (−130 °F). Coastal surface observations from various locations on the coast indicated a maximum wind speed of 60 knots (110 km/h; 69 mph) and a minimum sea level pressure of 988 hectopascals (29.2 inHg).[9][10]Nungambakkam in Chennai recorded the maximum rainfall of 530 mm (21 in) in the three-day period between December 2 and 4.[11]
Preparations and impact
As the storm approached the east coast of India, India's meteorological department issued a red alert for the region. In Tamil Nadu, over 500 personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) were deployed.[12][13] 121 multi-purpose centres and 4,967 relief centres were set-up in the eight coastal districts of Tamil Nadu to help in the aftermath of the cyclone.[14] In Andhra Pradesh, 181 relief camps were set up across the eight districts, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and AP State Disaster Response Force (APSDRF) deploying five teams each to assist in the affected areas.[15][16] Southern districts of Odisha were also to receive heavy rainfall due to the cyclone, and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force were deployed to assist local authorities.[17]
Heavy rain and strong winds battered the coastal areas.[18] Persistent rains caused widespread flooding and inundation in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.[19] Rivers including Cooum and major lakes overflowed in Chennai causing further water logging in the low-lying areas along the banks.[20] At least 17 people were killed, and more than 41,000 people were evacuated and temporarily relocated, including 32,158 in Tamil Nadu and 9,500 in Andhra Pradesh.[21][22] Power supply was cut off by the government in flooded areas in Chennai as a preventive measure to avert electrocution.[23]
Chennai International Airport closed its operations on December 4 due to flooding in the apron and runways, with flights being diverted or cancelled and operations resuming the next day.[24] Schools and offices were closed due to heavy rains and flooding.[25]Southern Railways and East Coast Railways re-directed and cancelled several trains.[26] Several businesses and industries in Chennai were impacted adversely as operations were ceased due to power shortages, flooding and damage to equipment.[27] In Andhra Pradesh, crop damage and losses were reported due to the flooding of fields.[28] There was also a shortage of essential commodities including milk which was exacerbated by panic buying.[29]
Relief efforts
The Indian Air Forceair dropped more than 2,300 kilograms (5,100 lb) of food packets and relief supplies in affected areas of Chennai, while the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), was tasked with rescuing people and providing supplies using inflatable boats.[30][31][32]Greater Chennai Corporation pressed more workers for flood recovery and aiding stranded people while citing staff crunch for delays in clearing fallen trees and garbage.[33][34] Volunteers engaged in distributing food packets, milk, water bottles and rescuing stranded people through boats in the inundated areas.[35]
Relief materials were sent from various districts of Tamil Nadu to the affected areas.[36][37] Various NGOs, religious and volunteer groups helped in the relief effort.[38] On December 9, Chief Minister of Tamil NaduM. K. Stalin announced a relief of ₹5 lakh (US$6,000) for families of those who lost their lives, ₹37,500 (US$450) for individuals who lost cattle, ₹17,000 (US$200) per hectare for paddy cultivators who lost the crop and ₹8,000 (US$96) for who lost their homes. A relief package worth ₹6,000 (US$72) was announced to be distributed through Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets for those who were impacted by the cyclone.[39][40] Many political parties including AIADMK, DMK and BJP ran relief campaigns and distribution programmes.[41][42][43]
Stalin donated one month salary to the state disaster relief fund and appealed to others to donate.[44]TVS Motors and Ashok Leyland contributed ₹3 crore (US$360,000) each to flood relief.[45][46] Actors Suriya and Karthi donated ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) each to the relief fund.[47]
As many personal and transport vehicles were damaged during the floods, auto companies announced various aid measures. Maruti Suzuki helped mobilize tow trucks, provide road side assistance; Hyundai announced a relief package of ₹3 crore (US$360,000) for flood relief; Tata Motors announced an extension of the warranty, maintenance contracts and provided emergency road assistance; Mahindra announced complimentary roadside assistance, no-cost inspection and financial discounts; Toyota set-up special emergency helpline and designated personnel for immediate assistance.[48] Companies like Tata Group also assisted in the relief effort.[49]
Response
National
On December 4, Home minister Amit Shah spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh assuring of all the help required and stating that the NDRF and Armed forces will be pressed into action.[50]Member of ParliamentKanimozhi stated on December 5 that the government of Tamil Nadu have taken proactive measures to address the impact of the cyclone with the establishment of over 400 shelters for the affected population, pumping of stagnant water and restoration of electricity.[51] On December 6, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed for those injured or affected.[52] He also stated that the authorities have been working tirelessly to assist those affected and will continue to work towards normalization.[53] Opposition MPs appealed to the Central government to extend its full assistance to Tamil Nadu in managing the repercussions of the cyclone.[54] They demanded that the disaster be declared as a national calamity.[55]
On December 6, chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.K.Stalin wrote to the Prime Minister seeking ₹5,060 crore (US$610 million) for interim flood relief from the disaster response fund.[56] Defence minister Rajnath Singh conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas in Tamil Nadu on December 7 and met with chief minister Stalin.[57] On December 7, Central government released a second installment of ₹450 crore (US$54 million) to the Tamil Nadu disaster relief fund and ₹493.50 crore (US$59 million) to the Andhra Pradesh disaster relief fund having already released the same amount earlier.[58][59] Amit Shah announced that the Prime Minister has already approved the first urban flood mitigation project of ₹561.29 crore (US$67 million) for urban flood management activities for Chennai under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) with a central assistance of ₹500 crore (US$60 million).[60]
On December 8, representatives of various micro, small and medium enterprises sought time to repay loans and electricity charges due to flood related losses and damages.[61] On December 9, Union minister of stateRajeev Chandrasekhar visited Chennai to assess the damages and coordinate with the state government for further assistance [62]
International
Australiancricketer David Warner shared his concern for those affected by the floods and advised safety.[63]
Criticism
People from various localities in Chennai expressed their disappointment at the water stagnation, power outages and lack of support from the authorities.[64] Actor Vishal expressed his disappointment with the flood situation in Chennai and criticized the Chennai Mayor and other authorities for not building adequate infrastructure to handle the floods.[65] Ministers of the state government and elected representatives were heckled by the angry public during their visits at various places in Chennai.[66][67] Prominent people including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jwala Gutta and Srinath Narayanan came out and shared their difficult experience.[68]
On December 7, leader of the oppositionK. Palaniswami demanded the chief minister of Tamil Nadu to release a white paper on the completed and ongoing stormwater drain work in Chennai.[69] On December 10, he further criticized the state government for the lack of preparedness and demanded the flood relief to be increased to ₹12,000 (US$140).[70] Tamil Nadu state president of BJP, Annamalai expressed his displeasure on the flooding and demanded the relief to be increased to ₹10,000 (US$120).[71]
^It was named Michaung by Myanmar meaning 'strength and resilience' in Burmese.[1] It is pronounced as Migjaum.[2]
References
^"Cyclone 'Michaung' to make landfall in Chennai; here's how it got its name". Hindustan Times. 1 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Naming of Tropical Cyclones over the North Indian Ocean" (PDF). New Delhi: Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Check Name Origin and Will it Hit Bay of Bengal?". Jagranjosh. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung to hit Andhra coast; PM dials Jagan Reddy, assures all help". India Today. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: who named it and how do cyclones get their names". Business Today. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Heavy rains in southern India as storm makes landfall". 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Landfall likely between Andhra's Nellore & Machilipatnam". Business Standard. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"'Cyclone Michaung' Highlights: Landfall completes, storm weakens; Andhra Pradesh expects rainfall for next 24 hours". Financial Express. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Tropical weather outlook". India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Information". India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Michaung dumped more rain than 2015 cyclone". Times of India. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung intensifies, Tamil Nadu on 'high alert'; SDRF deployed in Chennai, adjoining regions". Economic Times. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"500 NDRF, SDRF personnel at work". DT Next. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"T.N. Ministers review precautionary measures; NDRF, SDRF personnel positioned in eight coastal districts". The Hindu. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone 'Michaung': 181 relief camps, NDRF & SDRF deployed for rescue ops in Andhra Pradesh". Hindustan Times. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung landfall between Andhra Pradesh's Nellore and Machilipatnam". Times of India. 5 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung makes landfall; 12 dead; IAF drops relief supplies in Chennai". Hindustan Times. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Michaung cyclone: Heavy rains lash several district of Andhra Pradesh, schools declare holiday". Times of India. 4 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Chennai Flooded, 2015 All Over Again! Cyclonic Storm Michaung to blame or infrastructure". Times Now. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Chennai Battles Flood, Cars, Roads, Bridges Washed Away!". DNA. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Tropical storm crosses crosses Andhra Pradesh coast". Mint. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Chennai rain death toll rises to 17 as Cyclone Michaung makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh". Indian Express. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Chennai still flooded, no power for third straight day, hundreds in relief camps". India Today. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Heavy rains in southern India as storm makes landfall". BBC. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Chennai airport runway flooded as Cyclone Michaung nears India". Reuters. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Southern Railway cancels train services". The Hindu. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung leaves Chennai businesses bruised". The Hindu. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Massive waterlogging in Chennai, Koovam River rages". Business Standard. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Chennai floods trigger milk shortage across city, minister meets suppliers". India Today. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Schools, colleges closed across 4 Tamil Nadu districts today". Mint. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Relief efforts intensify as Cyclone Michaung weakens". DD News. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Air Force, Navy step in for relief and rescue operations". The Hindu. 6 December 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Greater Chennai Corporation to launch intensive cleaning campaign post-Michaung". The Hindu. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Chennai Corporation cites staff crunch as reason for delayed removal of trees, garbage". The Hindu. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"As Tamil Nadu, Andhra reel under floodwaters, schools in Chennai shut tomorrow". Indian Express. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Michaung flood relief" (Press release). District administration of Salem. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"Drinking water bottles, biscuits, milk powders were sent to Chennai for Michaung Cyclone Rescue and Relief Efforts" (Press release). District administration of Kallakurichi. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung relief effort". Ramakrishna Math. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"Chennai floods: MK Stalin announces compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to families of deceased". The News Minute. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Cash relief likely to cover 25 to 30 lakh families in T.N." The Hindu. 10 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"Edappadi K Palaniswami charges DMK with prioritising youth wing". Times of India. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: TN BJP Chief Annamalai Wades Through Water To Distribute Relief Materials". ABP news. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"DMK distributes relief material to people in Chennai". Times of India. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"TN CM Stalin donates one month's salary to relief fund; appeals to MPs, MLAs, public to donate". The Hindu. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"TVS Motor Company contributes Rs 3 crore to TN relief fund for Cyclone Michaung". Autocar. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"CSR: Ashok Leyland contributes Rs 3 Cr to Mitigate the Impact of Michaung Cyclone". CSR India. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Suriya and Karthi donate Rs 10 lakh for relief work; Vishal questions Chennai's mayor". Times of India. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Maruti, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Toyota announce customer support initiatives". India Today. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"Tata Motors extends support to customers affected by cyclone 'Michaung' Flooding". CarWale. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Amit Shah Dials Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu CMs; Assures All Help From Centre". India.com. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Tamil Nadu govt much more prepared to deal with heavy rain than in 2015: Kanimozhi". ANI News. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"PM condoles loss of lives due to Cyclone Michaung, especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry" (Press release). PMO India. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^@narendramodi (6 December 2023). "Cyclone Michaung, statement" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 December 2023 – via Twitter.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Provide all possible help to Tamil Nadu, opposition MPs urge Centre". The Print. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Declare floods caused by Cyclone Michaung as national calamity: DMK MP Baalu". Deccan Herald. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Stalin writes to Modi seeking Rs 5,060 crore for interim flood relief". DT next. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Rajnath Singh to visit Chennai on Thursday". The Hindu. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Centre releases ₹450 crore to Tamil Nadu's disaster response fund". The Hindu. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Centre announces Rs. 450 cr SDF fund to Tamil Nadu, Rs 493 cr to Andhra Pradesh, sanctions Rs 561 cr flood mitigation project for Chennai". Business Today. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Chennai facing 'major floods', PM Modi releases over ₹900 crore aid to Tamil Nadu, Andhra". Mint. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: MSMEs in Chennai seek time to repay loans, electricity charges". The Hindu. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"Union Minister R.Chandrasekhar to Evaluate Impact of Michaung in Chennai". NewsX. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: David Warner concerned about Chennai floods, cricketer urges people to 'seek higher ground if necessary'". Economic Times. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Chennai floods: Water stagnation, unresponsive Corporation plague residents". News Minute. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Vishal lashes out at Chennai Mayor for poor handling of flood situation: 'I put my head down in shame'". Indian Express. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^"Chennai Velachery Trench Mishap; One Body Recovered, Angry Residents Force MLA To Leave The Spot; Chennai Velachery trench mishap; One body recovered, angry residents force MLA to leave the spot". News 9. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung; Caught in a flood of rage: Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor, Egmore MLA face backlash over cyclone response". The Hindu. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung: Ravichandran Ashwin, Jwala Gutta and Srinath Narayanan share harrowing experiences". Indian Express. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung; AIADMK calls for release of white paper on stormwater drain work in Chennai". The Hindu. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
^"Cyclone Michaung:Palaniswami holds Stalin responsible for 'lack of preparedness'". The Hindu. 10 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
^"Increase cyclone relief to ₹10,000, Annamalai tells T.N. government". The Hindu. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyclone Michaung.
Tropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
