Cyclone Michaung gains strength

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning as Cyclone Michaung gains strength over the Bay of Bengal and the South Arabian Sea, set to make landfall between Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore and Machilipatnam on Tuesday morning with winds reaching speeds of up to 100 kmph.
The depression is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the Southwest Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours, subsequently reaching the west-central Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by December 4.
As of 0830 hours IST on Sunday, December 3, 2023, Cyclonic Storm Michaung was located near Latitude 11.5°N and Longitude 82.4°E, approximately 290 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 290 km southeast of Chennai, 420 km southeast of Nellore, 530 km south-southeast of Bapatla, and 530 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam. The storm is expected to continue moving northwestwards, intensifying further, and reaching the West-central Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by the forenoon of December 4. Subsequently, it is projected to move nearly northwards, parallel to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, crossing between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of December 5 as a ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’ with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.
The IMD has issued rainfall warnings for Coastal Andhra Pradesh, with light to moderate rainfall expected on December 3, heavy to very heavy rainfall on December 4 and 5, and isolated heavy rainfall on December 6 in north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Rayalaseema is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to extremely heavy falls on December 3 and 4, and isolated heavy rainfall on December 5, decreasing thereafter.
Wind warnings have been issued for the West-central Bay of Bengal and along & off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with squally wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph prevailing, gradually increasing to gale wind speeds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph from December 4 evening to December 5 noon. Along & off the north Andhra Pradesh coast, squally wind speeds of 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph are likely from December 4 evening, gradually increasing to 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph from December 5 morning for the subsequent 24 hours.
Sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough over the west-central Bay of Bengal and along & off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, becoming very rough to high from December 3 evening to December 4, and high to very high phenomenal seas from December 4 evening to December 5 noon. Conditions are likely to improve thereafter, gradually becoming high to very rough from December 5 evening and very rough to rough from December 6 morning for the next 12 hours. Along & off the north Andhra Pradesh coast, rough to very rough sea conditions are likely from December 4, very rough to high on December 5, and very rough to rough on December 6.
Fishermen are strongly advised not to venture into the West-central Bay of Bengal and along & off the Andhra Pradesh coast until December 6.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, assuring him of all necessary support in light of Cyclone Michaung. PM Modi instructed top officials to ensure comprehensive assistance, and CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, after reviewing the State’s preparedness, directed district collectors in coastal areas to be fully equipped for relief and rehabilitation efforts. Authorities have evacuated residents from low-lying areas, established emergency shelters, and issued advisories to fishermen to avoid the sea until further notice.