A flooded street after heavy rainfall owing to Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (PTI Photo)Chennai Rain News Highlights: A day after Cyclone Michaung made a landfall triggering heavy rains in parts of south India, it weakened into a deep depression over central coastal Andhra Pradesh. In a post on X, the India Meteorological Department said: “Cyclonic storm “MICHAUNG” weakened into a deep depression over central coastal AP. About 100 km north-northwest of Bapatla and 50 km southeast of Khammam. To weaken further into a depression in next 06 hours and further into a WML (well marked low pressure) during subsequent 06 hours,” read a post on the official IMD handle on social media platform X.
At least 17 people have so far been reported dead in rain-related incidents triggered by the cyclone in the city, said the Greater Chennai Police in a release. The deaths were mostly due to drowning, electrocution, collapsing walls and falling trees.
What is the situation on ground? Amid destructions caused by the cyclonic storm in the state, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday said that the rains received during the Cyclone period have exceeded what the state received in 2015. Addressing a press conference, he said “Even after receiving historical rains, the damages are less compared to the previous times. The rains received during Cyclone Michaung exceeded what we received in 2015 when the floods were artificial due to the release of water from Sembarambakkam Lake but now it is a natural flood.”
State-run NLC India on Tuesday said that it has sent high-capacity pumps used in lignite mines to pump out water from inundated areas in Chennai.
Cyclone Michaung has wreaked havoc across Chennai and its neighbouring districts, inundating the city, causing disruptions in flights and trains.
"To supplement the efforts of Chennai Corporation, yesterday NLC India Ltd has come forward to lend a helping hand by sending 16 numbers of giant high capacity pumps which are used in NLC lignite Mines," the PSU said in a statement.
Required engineers along with technicians from all three mines of the PSU have left for Chennai with high-capacity giant motor pumps to help drain the water at the earliest in the waterlogged areas. (PTI)
State-run NLC India on Tuesday said that it has sent high-capacity pumps used in lignite mines to pump out water from inundated areas in Chennai.
Cyclone Michaung has wreaked havoc across Chennai and its neighbouring districts, inundating the city, causing disruptions in flights and trains.
"To supplement the efforts of Chennai Corporation, yesterday NLC India Ltd has come forward to lend a helping hand by sending 16 numbers of giant high capacity pumps which are used in NLC lignite Mines," the PSU said in a statement.
Required engineers along with technicians from all three mines of the PSU have left for Chennai with high-capacity giant motor pumps to help drain the water at the earliest in the waterlogged areas. (PTI)
IAF Chetak helicopters have been deployed for flood relief operations in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The relief material was dropped in the general area of Adyar and close to Chennai Harbour. Two helicopters were launched in the late evening hours with relief supplies. These included food packets and rations for people stranded in cyclone-hit areas in Chennai that were cut off due to flooding. More sorties would be launched to distribute relief supplies in other affected areas. The entire operation is being conducted in close liaison with the Tamil Nadu state government and AFS Tambaram. (Inputs from ANI)
The death toll from Chennai’s widespread deluge, caused by Cyclone Michaung, has gone up to 17 on Tuesday, police said. While the hours-long heavy rain in the city stopped on Monday night, streets remained waterlogged.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh, meanwhile, saw massive downpour on Tuesday, after Cyclone Michaung made landfall in the state, between Nellore and Kavali. Authorities in the state have moved around 9,500 people from vulnerable areas into 211 relief camps across affected districts. No casualties were reported in Andhra Pradesh.
The 17 deaths that took place in Chennai since Monday were mostly due to drowning, electrocution, collapsing walls and falling trees. Several others were injured. (Read More)
Actor Aamir Khan was stuck in flood-stricken Chennai. He was later rescued with help from the fire and rescue department of the state government.
Tamil actor Vishnu Vishal, who was stranded in Karapakkam, Chennai, shared the update.
"Thanks to the fire and rescue department in helping people like us who are stranded. Rescue operations have started in karapakkam..Saw 3 boats functioning already. Great work by TN govt in such testing times. Thanks to all the administrative people who are working relentlessly," Vishal said in a post on X.
The roads in Chennai Chennai's Pallikaranai area were inundated due to heavy rainfall owing to Cyclone Michaung.
The official death toll due to the unprecedented deluge rose to eight in Chennai on Tuesday (December 5). More than 18,000 people were displaced and moved to relief camps around the city, according to the officials. The floods were triggered by Cyclone Michaung, which began its landing process between Nellore and Kavali in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon.
The devastation brought back memories of the 2015 deluge in the city — the disaster was a result of the heaviest rain in several decades and poor reservoir management. Here is a look at what happened in 2015 and how the latest flooding is different from the one caused eight years ago.
What happened in 2015?
The 2015 flood in Chennai was markedly different from the deluge on Monday. The crisis began when the Chembarambakkam reservoir, near its full capacity, started discharging water into the Adyar river at an alarming rate. (Read More)
Opposition MPs on Tuesday appealed to the Central government to provide all possible help to the Tamil Nadu government in tackling the situation arising due to cyclone Michaung.
Speaking to PTI at Parliament complex, Congress' Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh said the Centre must provide all the assistance to Tamil Nadu for tackling the impact of the cyclone.
“It is the biggest cyclone in 40 years. Our demand is that the Central government immediately send a team to assess the damage,” CPI-M MP from Coimbatore PR Natarajan said. The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has sought from the Centre an interim financial assistance of Rs 5,000 crore to provide relief to affected people and rebuild infrastructure damaged by incessant rains in Chennai and some other districts of the state.
K Kanimozhi, DMK MP from Thoothukkudi, hoped that the Union government will help and support the Tamil Nadu government “in whatever possible way”, saying the M K Stalin government is “doing its best” to ensure that people are safe. (PTI)
Several areas in Chennai remain waterlogged after Cyclone Michaung triggered heavy rainfall in the region. Watch the visuals from Tharamani area.
Many parts of Chennai city were left submerged due to the heavy rain triggered by the cyclone Michaung in the past 2 days. In a video shared by news agency ANI, people living in the inundated Krishna Nagar area of Chennai's West Tambaram's were seen being rescued using inflated boats.
Speaking about the damage caused by the incessant rain in Chennai, DMK leader Kanimozhi said, “In the last 2 days, we had more than 33 centimetres of rainfall which is much more than what we had in 2015, but because the government was prepared and many people have been evacuated and moved to shelters. Around 411 shelters have been already prepared...Water has also been pumped out of most of the areas and power has also been restored in more than 60-70 per cent of the houses..."
A drone shot shows waterlogging all around in Guduvancheri Mahalaxmi Nagar area of ??Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. Since Tuesday morning most parts of Chennai experienced a respite from rains, which allowed officials to focus on rescue and relief operations in affected areas. Meanwhile, Cyclone Michaung's landfall is currently underway with the eye of the cyclone situated near Bapatla in south Andhra Pradesh coast.
Chennai Police officials were seen distributing food items to people affected by waterlogging due to heavy rainfall in the wake of Cyclone Michaung, on Tuesday.
? A dozen people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents in and around the city while personnel on fishing boats and farm tractors were engaged in rescuing stranded people on Tuesday.
? Several District Disaster Response Teams (DDRT) were formed to carry out relief work in all rain-affected areas across the city.
? In Muthialpet locality in the city's outskirts, 54 families were rescued, and a woman who had just given birth was relocated to a safer place from Saligramam in the city.
? More than 250 people from low-lying areas found refuge at a school camp in Kotturpuram.
? Residents in areas like suburban Tambaram, Ashok Nagar, Kattupakkam, and Perungudi complained about the lack of power restoration despite the rain ceasing for several hours.
? During a press briefing, CM Stalin mentioned that across the nine affected districts, including Chennai, a total of 61,666 relief camps were established. Approximately 11 lakh food packets and one lakh milk packets have been distributed so far, he said.
Severe cyclonic storm Michaung's landfall is currently underway with the eye of the cyclone situated near Bapatla in south Andhra Pradesh coast. Rains wreaked havoc in many areas of Tamil Nadu since yesterday. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday said that the rains received during the Cyclone period have exceeded what the state received in 2015. In a video shared by news agency PTI locals in Tamil Nadu's Chengalpattu could be seen moving out of their residences as rainwater remains stagnated across the villages
The Chennai Airport sprung back to normal operations in record time after the onslaught of Cyclone Michaung.
The Chennai corporation has brought in 5000 workers from other districts to the city for the flood mitigation works. These workers used farm tractors and fishing boats in flooded areas including Periamet and some other north Chennai areas to rescue people and to distribute relief materials.
(Express Photos by Janardhan Koushik)
The Chennai corporation has brought in 5000 workers from other districts to the city for the flood mitigation works. These workers used farm tractors and fishing boats in flooded areas including Periamet and some other north Chennai areas to rescue people and to distribute relief materials.
(Express Photos by Janardhan Koushik)
Cyclone 'Michaung' landfall process close to the South Andhra Pradesh Coast has started and is likely to continue for the next 3 hours, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.
"The system is likely to move nearly northwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla during the next 2 hours as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110. The landfall process is continuing and likely to continue for the next 3 hours," the IMD forecasted.
"The severe cyclonic storm "MICHAUNG" over the west-central Bay of Bengal along and off south Andhra Pradesh coast moved northwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 1130 hours ist of 5th December, 2023 over the same region near latitude 15.45degn and longitude 80.25dege, about 20 km east of Ongole, 50 km south-southwest of Bapatla, 70 km north-northeast of Kavali, 110 km north-northeast of Nellore, and 120 km southwest of Machilipatnam," IMD added. (ANI)
The official toll of deaths due to rains rose to eight, as fishing boats and farm tractors were used to rescue people stranded in waterlogged areas in and around the city on Tuesday. The city and adjoining districts were battered by incessant rains on Monday as severe cyclonic storm Michaung loomed over the north coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.
There was respite from rains in most parts of Chennai since Tuesday morning giving time to officials to focus on rescue and relief efforts in rain affected areas.
Addressing a press conference at the Chennai Corporation headquarters on Tuesday morning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said relief measures are taking place on a war footing.
Stalin said in the nine districts including Chennai that were hit by torrential rains, a total of 61,666 relief camps were set up with about 11 lakh food packets and one lakh milk packets distributed so far. (PTI)
As of 11.30 am, the weather system had moved at a speed of 10 kmph over the past six hours, positioning itself near latitude 15.45 degrees north and longitude 80.25 degrees east. According to the latest bulletin from the IMD, the weather system situated about 20 km east of Ongole, 50 km south-southwest of Bapatla, 70 km north-northeast of Kavali, 110 km north-northeast of Nellore and 120 km southwest of Machilipatnam.
As per the IMD update, the landfall process is continuing and likely to continue for next 3 hours.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as severe cyclonic storm Michaung approaches the South Andhra coast.
With the waves of Severe Cyclonic storm 'Michaung' sweeping across Tamil Nadu, killing 8 people, Congress supported its Tamil Nadu ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party while the opposition targeted the state government.
DMK MP M Shanmugam said "This is the first time within a day 50 cm of rainfall has occurred (in Chennai). Rescue activities are underway. A meeting will be held tomorrow and today evening he (CM) will tell about it." Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that it is a very bad situation in Chennai and the state government and Municipal Corporation have done their work.
"It is a very sad state of affairs in Chennai because of heavy rains, it has flooded Chennai. The State Government and Municipal Corporation have done their work. There is a lot of inconvenience to the public...I have demanded in the Parliament that we should discuss in the Lok Sabha, the cyclone's effect in Chennai...The Government of India and the ministers must reply what action the Centre has taken to help the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh," he said. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday morning inspected the Cyclone affected areas in the state. The Tamil Nadu CM inspected the rain relief camp set up in Kannapar Thital, Chennai. There are 162 relief centres in which 43 are operated accommodating 2477 Chennai residents. There are 20 kitchens operational providing food to these relief centres.
India Meteorological Department said that Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung will cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla during the next 4 hours with a maximum speed of 90-100 kilometers per hour.
"Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung will cross South Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla during next 4 hours at 0830 hrs on December 5 near South Andhra Pradesh coast, Latitude 15.2degN, Longitude 80.25degE, with a maximum speed of 90-100 kmph. Wind speed can reach 110 km per hour," IMD posted on X.
An interim Central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore has been sought by the Tamil Nadu government to provide relief to people and rebuild infrastructure damaged by incessant rains in Chennai and some other districts of the state.
Raising the issue through a zero-hour mention in the Rajya Sabha, Tiruchi Siva, a leader of the DMK which rules the state, said heavy rains due to severe Cyclone Michaung have submerged Chennai and other districts.
At least nine people, including a child, were killed in the flooding and the havoc caused hours before the cyclone was due to make landfall. Cars were swept and airport operations shut down as the streets of Chennai got inundated.
"Roads have become rivers because of non-stop running waters and rivers have become like seas... all the water bodies are overflowing. Many tanks have been breached," he said. (PTI)
As relentless rain hammered Chennai on Monday, videos showing rainwater entering houses and leaving streets inundated are doing the rounds on social media.
In the wake of the heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Michaung, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin addressed a press conference , commending the state's infrastructure resilience. He noted that the damages incurred were significantly less compared to previous instances.
"Even after receiving heavy rains, the damages are less compared to previous times. The rains received during Cyclone Michaung exceeded the rain we received in 2015. In 2015, the floods were manmade due to the release of water from Chembarambakkam Lake but now it is a natural flood. Chennai escaped because of our Storm water drain projects," he said.
Cancellation of train services that are commencing journey on 5-12-2023:
1. Train no: 22637 Dr.MGR Chennai Central - Mangaluru is fully cancelled
2. Train no: 16116 Puducherry - Chennai Egmore is fully cancelled
3. Train no: 06028 Villupuram - Tambaram is fully cancelled
4. Train no: 12664 Tiruchchirappalli - Howrah is fully cancelled
5. Train no: 06059 Coimbatore - Barauni is fully Cancelled
6. Train no: 06034 Vellore - Chennai Beach is fully cancelled
7. Train no: 16054 Tirupati - Dr. MGR Chennai Central is fully cancelled
Chennai Airport has resumed operations after being temporarily shut down due to heavy rains that caused flooding and waterlogging on the runways, said an airport official.
The airport will be open for both arrivals and departures from 0900 hours IST onwards.
According to a statement released by the airport authorities, the rains have stopped, and the water has receded. However, there is a lot of slush and filth on the runways and taxiways, which is being cleared by four Civilian Firearms Teams (CFTs) and additional manpower. (ANI)
In its latest update, the IMD has said that severe cyclonic storm Michaung will cross south Andhra coast near Bapatla during next four hours with wind speed of 90-100 kmph.
Perungudi (Chennai district) tops with 45cm, followed by Poonamallee (Tiruvallur district) at 34cm, and Avadi (Tiruvallur district) with 28cm.
Buildings near Chembarambakkam in Chennai inundated due to heavy rainfall and subsequent rainfall of lakes and rivers.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday urged the Centre to provide all possible help to states affected by Cyclone Michaung.
In a post on X, Kharge said it is distressing to witness the impact of the cyclone in Tamil Nadu, where precious lives have been lost.
"It is distressing to witness the impact of #CyloneMichaung in Tamil Nadu, where precious lives have been lost.
The cyclone is expected to make its presence felt in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Puducherry, and may cause heavy rains in Jharkhand," he wrote.
As Cyclone Michaung continues to wreak havoc in Tamil Nadu, Chennai city faces massive waterlogging triggered due to heavy rain in the state while the Koovam River rages as water from nearby lakes is released into it.
? Eight people have lost their lives while multiple roads and subways are closed due to waterlogging in the wake of the Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Michaung', which is expected to make landfall on the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam today.
? "Traffic has been closed on Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to the release of water from the Puzhal Lake," police said on Tuesday.
? The police further informed that 8 deaths have been reported so far in the state. "A dead body of an unidentified man aged about 70 years who was found dead at the platform near the Vaidyanathan flyover, Padmanaban (M/50), Senthurai, Natluun, Dindigul district was electrocuted and died at loan square road, Murugan (M/35), died by fallen tree on himself at Besant Nagar, a dead body of an unidentified woman aged about 60 years was found dead at Foreshore Estate Bus Depot, Ganesan (M/70 years) of Thuraipakkam was electrocuted while walking on the road near his house," Tamil Nadu police said. "Dharath (M/53 years) died due to a compound wall collapse at Ellaiamman Boyd Street, Sehlim (M/50), was found dead in the rainwater inside the School campus, Mirajul Islam (M/19) of Assam State, who stayed at Kotturpuram Corporation School relief Centre died due to epilepsy today," the police added.
? The police also added that many families including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens were rescued from different areas who were stuck due to wreak havoc of Cyclone Michaung.
? Around 17 subways including the Ganesapuram Subway, Gengureddy Subway, Sembium (Perambur), Villivakkam and Duraisamy Subway are closed due to water logging, the police informed further. "Fallen trees have been removed at 58 places in the GCP limit," police said.
? Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday morning inspected the Cyclone affected areas in the state. The Tamil Nadu CM inspected the rain relief camp set up in Kannapar Thital, Chennai. There are 162 relief centres in which 43 are operated accommodating 2477 Chennai residents. There are 20 kitchens operational providing food to these relief centres.
? The state government has asked the authorities about the availability of ready-made items including rice-dals-vegetables and their quality to arrange food for those staying in the relief camps. (ANI)
As relentless rain wreaked havoc on parts of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin took to the ground to inspect the areas ravaged by Cyclone Michaung.
He also distributed relief materials to the cyclone-affected people.
As per the latest update from IMD, the Severe Cyclonic Storm, located in the Westcentral Bay of Bengal near south Andhra Pradesh and the north Tamil Nadu coasts, has been moving in a north-northwest direction at a speed of 7 kmph over the last 6 hours.
The bulletin noted that as the system is nearly moving northwards close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud region lie over land.
The cyclone is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon of Tuesday as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, the bulletin added.
The system over West central Bay of Bengal, off the south Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past six hours.
At least eight people have died in rain-related incidents in Chennai as heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Michaung pounded the city, leaving large parts of it submerged.
Cattle wade through deep waters as Chennai city faces massive waterlogging and flood-like situations.
Cyclone Michaung has wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu, leaving behind a scene of destruction and sorrow.
Expressing sympathy for the affected individuals and their families, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the wake of the cyclone.
"Distressed by the news of the destruction and deaths caused by Cyclone Michaung in Tamil Nadu.
My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.
As the cyclone advances, I urge Congress leaders and workers of TN, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, to extend all possible support to their govt’s relief and rescue efforts," he wrote on X.
Koovam river rages as water from nearby lakes is released into it due to heavy rainfall in the city in the wake of Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung. Michaung is likely to make landfall today on the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam.
Cyclonic storm Michaung is set to make landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh on December 5 at noon, becoming the first to cross the coast in two years after Cyclone Gulab in September 2021. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal turned into a severe cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ at 8.30 am , the IMD said on Monday.
Michaung’s wind speed is anticipated to reach severe cyclonic levels, with a maximum sustained speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. The system could result in heavy rains in most parts of Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha. Here are 10 key points you need to know about Michaung, the fourth tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal this year.
As per the latest update, the Severe Cyclonic Storm, located in the Westcentral Bay of Bengal near south Andhra Pradesh and the north Tamil Nadu coasts, has been moving in a north-northwest direction at a speed of 7 kmph over the last 6 hours.
Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated in most areas of North coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Tuesday morning, with isolated heavy rainfall, as per the latest bulletin from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
This reduced rainfall intensity forecast brings relief following the havoc caused by Cyclone Michaung, which led to flooding and disruptions in Chennai and nearby districts on Monday.
The relentless rain continued to hammer Chennai and other neighbouring districts on Monday ahead of Cyclone Michaung’s landfall while the Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday on Tuesday in the four districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.
The order noted that apart from workers of the essential services like the police, fire and rescue, local bodies, hospitals, electricity, milk supply and hotels, Tuesday will remain to be a holiday for the rest, including schools, colleges, government offices, banks and public entities.
The government has also requested the private companies to provide a work from home option to the employees, except for those who are absolutely necessary to arrive for work. (Read More)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Monday that his government was taking all necessary measures on a war-footing to provide relief in the wake of Cyclone Michaung disrupting normal life.
Relief measures in rain-affected regions are being implemented immediately, with various department personnel, including police, fire, and rescue, being deployed in large numbers as a preventive mechanism, he stated.
"The government is taking all precautionary measures on a war-footing in response to heavy rainfall over the last two days due to Cyclone Michaung causing devastation in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts," Stalin mentioned in an official release.
Observing that educational institutions, banks, and financial institutions have been granted holidays for Monday and Tuesday, he added, "Relief measures are being undertaken in the affected districts, with senior ministers, along with government officials, directly monitoring the situation." He said the deployment of an IAS officer in each of the Greater Chennai Corporation, Tambaram, and Avadi Corporations to oversee the relief and rehabilitation works. (PTI)
At least five people were killed in several rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu on Monday following torrential rainfall in Chennai and its neighbouring districts triggered by Cyclone Michaung.
The IMD on Monday shared the data regarding the amount of rainfall received by Chennai and its neighbouring districts in the wake of Cyclone Michauang.
Amid relentless rain lashing Chennai and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu in the wake of Cyclone Michauang, an adult mugger crocodile was spotted crossing the Perungalathur-Nedungundram road near the state capital, reportedly in the early hours of Monday.
A video of the incident surfaced on the internet where a person on a two-wheeler was seen stopping his vehicle after spotting the crocodile.
As people started to share the video on X, Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forests, said there are a few mugger crocodiles in several of the water bodies in the city and the particular crocodile has come out due to rains and there is no harm if it is not provoked. (Read More)
Life was thrown out of gear in Chennai and its neighbouring districts on Monday as relentless rains pounded various parts leading to inundation. In a video shared by DD News, cars can be seen being swept away in Chennai's Pallikaranai.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Monday said eastern coastal districts of the state have been badly affected by cyclone Michaung leading to a disruption in normal life.
"The situation is being monitored by the Central and state governments at the highest level," he said in a social media post. "I appeal to people to follow the advice of state government and stay home and stay safe until the situation improves," he said.
Meanwhile, the government also declared a public holiday for December 5 in Chennai and neighbouring districts following heavy rainfall.
The Southern Railway on Monday informed that due to water flowing above danger level at bridge no14 between Basin bridge & vyasarpadi, 12 trains have been suspended on account of safety reasons.
Nine groups of NDRF teams have sent to Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Villupuram to carry out relief and rescue work. From Villupuram, two groups of NDRF members have been sent to Tambaram to carry out the relief work. Similarly, from Arakkonam, three groups of NDRF have been sent to Chennai. Three more groups of NDRF have been summoned to arrive from Bengaluru to carry out relief work.
A mugger crocodiles videos which went viral on Monday, can be seen passing over the streets in Chennai as several waterbodies gets overflowed due to heavy rains.
As Cyclone Michaung intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm, several places get waterlogged.
The India Meteorological Department said that the Cyclone Michaung is now over south of Andhra Pradesh and north of Tamil Nadu coast intensified to severe cyclonic storm on December 4.
Heavy showers continued to pound Chennai and nearby districts on Monday.