Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung[a] (Burmese pronunciation:[mɪʔtɕʰaʊɰ̃]) was a moderatetropical cyclone which formed in theBay of Bengal during the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Michaung originated as alow-pressure area in theGulf 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 namedMichaung. 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 theeastern 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 includingChennai and south-eastern Andhra Pradesh before making landfall nearBapatla in Andhra Pradesh on December 5.
In late November 2023, a low-pressure area crossed into the Bay of Bengal from the Gulf of Thailand. On December 1, theIndia Meteorological Department (IMD) said the disturbance had developed into a depression in the SouthAndaman Sea, and was expected to move towards the northwest while strengthening in the Bay of Bengal.[3] On December 2, the system intensified into adeep depression located about 440 kilometres (270 mi) east-southeast ofPuducherry.[4] Thereafter, it intensified into acyclonic 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 theSaffir–Simpson scale.[6] Michaung moved almost directly northward along the coast. On December 5, the storm made landfall betweenNellore andMachilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, weakening as it moved inland.[7] By December 6, the storm had weakened to a depression over central Andhra Pradesh.[8]
According to the IMD reports,INSAT-3D satellite imagery on December 5 indicated a cloud mass with broken low to medium clouds and intenseconvection 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 maximumwind 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]
As the storm approached the east coast of India, India's meteorological department issued ared alert for the region. In Tamil Nadu, over 500 personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) andTamil 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 ofOdisha were also to receive heavy rainfall due to the cyclone, and theOdisha 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 includingCooum 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 avertelectrocution.[23] Economic loss in Tamil Nadu exceeded₹11,000 crore (US$1.32 billion).[24]
Chennai International Airport closed its operations on December 4 due to flooding in the apron andrunways, with flights being diverted or cancelled and operations resuming the next day.[25] Schools and offices were closed due to heavy rains and flooding.[26]Southern Railways andEast Coast Railways re-directed and cancelled several trains.[27] Several businesses and industries in Chennai were impacted adversely as operations were ceased due to power shortages, flooding and damage to equipment.[28] In Andhra Pradesh, crop damage and losses were reported due to the flooding of fields.[29] There was also a shortage of essential commodities includingmilk which was exacerbated bypanic buying.[30]
TheIndian Air Forceair dropped more than 2,300 kilograms (5,100 lb) of food packets and relief supplies in affected areas of Chennai, while theIndian Navy, in collaboration with theIndian Army andNational Disaster Response Force (NDRF), was tasked with rescuing people and providing supplies usinginflatable boats.[31][32][33]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.[34][35] Volunteers engaged in distributing food packets, milk, water bottles and rescuing stranded people through boats in the inundated areas.[36]
Relief materials were sent from variousdistricts of Tamil Nadu to the affected areas.[37][38] VariousNGOs, religious and volunteer groups helped in the relief effort.[39] 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 lostcattle, ₹17,000 (US$200) per hectare forpaddy 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 throughPublic Distribution System (PDS) outlets for those who were impacted by the cyclone.[40][41] but this relief package was provided only to families which don't pay anyincome tax toGovernment of India. Manypolitical parties includingAIADMK,DMK andBJP ran relief campaigns and distribution programmes.[42][43][44]
Stalin donated one month salary to the state disaster relief fund and appealed to others to donate.[45]TVS Motors andAshok Leyland contributed ₹3 crore (US$360,000) each to flood relief.[46][47] ActorsSuriya andKarthi donated ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) each to the relief fund.[48]
As many personal and transport vehicles were damaged during the floods, auto companies announced various aid measures.Maruti Suzuki helped mobilizetow 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.[49]
On December 4,Home ministerAmit Shah spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu andAndhra Pradesh assuring of all the help required and stating that the NDRF andArmed 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] OppositionMPs 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$608 million) for interim flood relief from the disaster response fund.[56]Defence ministerRajnath Singh conducted anaerial 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 ₹493.5 crore (US$59.3 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$67.4 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 variousmicro,small andmedium 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]
People from various localities in Chennai expressed their disappointment at the water stagnation, power outages and lack of support from the authorities.[64] ActorVishal expressed his disappointment with the flood situation in Chennai and criticized theChennai 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 includingRavichandran Ashwin,Jwala Gutta andSrinath 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 awhite paper on the completed and ongoingstormwater 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$144).[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]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
